The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. – Psalm 145:9
It was around 8:30 in the evening on October 8, 1871, and most people had begun settling in for the night. In a barn next to an alley behind West DeKoven Street in Chicago, a lantern had been left burning. Legend says the O’Leary family’s cow must have kicked it over, allowing its flames to spread unnoticed until shortly thereafter, when it erupted into an enormous conflagration. The Great Chicago Fire destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of the city and took the lives of around 300 people. Chicago pastor and teacher Dwight L. Moody would later call it one of the nation’s greatest tragedies.
Tragedies happen. Just a look across American history reveals everything from pandemics to natural events that have taken a toll on American lives and property. Tragedies happen around the world. When calamitous events occur, do you question God? Perhaps you have struggled with your faith when forced to face a heartbreaking catastrophe.
The prophet Isaiah quotes God, saying, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand“ (Isaiah 41:10, NIV). Though you experience overwhelming loss or sorrow, the Lord has not left you. He will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). God will see you through the storms and tempests, so turn to Him and receive His peace in the midst of tragedies (Isaiah 54:10). And to His people, the Church. Believers are the body of Christ on Earth, and offer each other the comfort with which He has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1:4).
When you are troubled by tragedy, take the cry of your heart to the Lord in prayer. Remember He is an all-wise God, and He loves you with an eternal and steadfast love, and that ultimately, in His infinite power, He works everything together for good (Romans 8:28). Trust in and cling to Him, and let the mysteries of why remain with Him.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 145:9
The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
