THE BACKYARD OF TRAGEDIES – Dec. 18th

“When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel…”Judges 6: 7

“And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” And Gideon said to him, “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” Judges 6:12-13

The question of “why” is as natural as breathing.  Gideon asked “why” his family and relatives were being regularly devastated by a foreign people.  In the same manner, people along the East Coast have asked “why” their homes and communities were ravaged by storms; People across the world ask “why” would a person murder so many innocent adults and children in Connecticut and China.  Tragedies usually result in a quest for the answer to “why”.

God answered Israel’s cries of “why” by sending them a prophet.

English: The Midianites Are Routed (Jud. 7:9-25) Русский: Гидеон поражает стан Мадиамский (Суд. 7:9-25) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That response may seem completely inadequate in the face of a real threat. However, it is only inadequate when one does not consider the mercy that God shows us  by giving us a life of peace and prosperity. The personal tragedies experienced each year by the families in Israel were not the result of the weakness of their political system.  Their real problem required a prophet because their problem was spiritual.

 “And I said to you. ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell’. But you have not obeyed my voice.” Judges 6:10

 God gave an answer to Gideon’s question of “why”. Gideon’s country, community, and family were following false gods. Gideon’s own father had an altar to Baal in their backyard. The answer to “why” was very close, very real, with very real consequences. Gideon had the appropriate response to the “why” of his tragedy – cut down the altar.  It was then that the Lord could use Gideon and his country-men to stop the tragedy of the Midianites.

How are we going to respond to the tragedies of our time? Why is all this happening to us?  The answer to that question is not across the country. It is not in laws. It is not in funding mental health programs. It is not in education.

The answer to “why” is in my backyard and your backyard.

Many people feel powerless in response to the tragedies.  We need to realize that we all play a part.

I can do something.

You can do something.

We can do something!

We have the Word of God and it is calling us with the same message as to Gideon – cut down the altars in your own backyard.  That is what we can do.  Don’t look for someone else to do something. We need to start with ourselves.  It is when we respond to tragedies by getting our own lives and homes in order that we will be prepared to be used by God.

May these tragedies result in us examining what we worship and turning in obedience to the one who is calling us – God.

PRAYER: Lord – I pray that your grace and mercy will flow over those who are hurting in Connecticut, China, New York and New Jersey and all the other places where tragedy has struck.  Lord, you are the only true source of comfort; may you show your love in abundance to those who so desperately need it at this time. Father, I pray that you will call me, my family, your Church and this country to see what we are worshiping; that we will look in our own backyards before we seek for answers in other places. Lord, revive us to a new love for you – give us a passion to follow you with one heart.   Amen