– I just saw that tweet and thought it fit too well with my thoughts below, so… there you go. 

Another story of chaos. Another example of how sin and violence and tragedy are able to rule the moment. The narrative is so familiar and seems so routine. A monster takes matters into his own hands and we have to deal with the wake of what’s wrong. I’m referring, of course, to the the tragedy that occurred in Nice, France. But I could be referring to a number of things going on in our world.

After situations like this, whether we are Christian or not, we can’t help but lean toward God. Whether we know Him or not we tend to ask him why. “Why, God, does this happen?” Or even, “Why do you, God, allow this to happen?” Sometimes the writers of the Bible asked those questions. We keep asking those questions.

God doesn’t always answer the way we like, does He? He doesn’t really give us the answers that are nice and tidy. Sometimes the answers in the Bible leave things even more open-ended and make us even more curious about how tragedy so often has its way. It’s frustrating. 

Though this is the case we can know some things for sure and one of them is that though tragedies are present, God is not distant. The scriptures continually remind us of this. Though it seems He is far removed, it is the exact opposite. He is, in fact, present.  

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

The Psalm continues in verses 6-7: “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Even though there is chaos, the Lord is with us. He is present. This is not a question. The question we should be asking is, are we present?

For us to find refuge in the God who is present we must be present ourselves. There is a catch. We can’t just assume our way in. We can’t barge our way in. Our presence is not made obvious by arrogantly announcing our arrival or proclaiming our agenda. 

Our presence will be most clearly demonstrated when we approach Him in stillness.  

The Psalmist finishes his chapter, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

As the nations rage and the chaos reigns don’t be anxious or arrogant. Be present. Be still. For the Lord over heaven and earth is with us. He is already near. 

Check this out… Nearness by Bethel Music.

(From the video)