It is a chilling experience witnessing how tsunami wiped out bustling towns: it happens all too quick, even without a loud protest. Yet protests do come later, mainly as afterthoughts by those who watch from afar.
If there is no God, then there is no protest, for whom do you protest against? After paying our sympathy to the quick and the dead, all we can do is but eat and drink, for soon we too will perish under the heaven (Isa 22:13).
In the wake of calamity like this, whenever God is mentioned, there is always protest. When life and happiness are taken away from us without a verdict in such a grand scale, unfairness is an understatement for many people’s feeling. If anyone is behind this act, we demand justice, but shall we subpoena God for a hearing?
In the very first book of the Bible, Abraham also witnessed a similar act from God. He was first puzzled too, but out of his fear he chose to pray instead of protest (Gen 18:23). It is the fear of God that leads to understanding (Prov 9:10).
The gap between Abraham and protesters are expanded in the rest of the Bible. It starts with the outright statements about the ownership of every life, indeed everything in this universe. It is stuffed with confusion and anguish of mankind, and verdict and redemption of God. It ends with the restoration of that ownership and a perfect world.
Disasters like this do prompt us to search for God, not with our mouth, but our ears. I like what C. S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world”. Have you ever felt the pain and overcome the loss with gain?
Indeed, if you choose to protest, be sure there is more to come; for it is not final yet, even for those perished in this world (Matt 11:24). We may be puzzled for now, but in the end, we will either praise Him in heaven or panic in hell, for what He has done will be proven just and true! (Rev 19:1-2)
Isaiah 22:13 and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep,eating flesh and drinking wine. “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Genesis 18:23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Matthew 11:24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you. Revelation 19:1-2 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
