Thought for the Month - December 2015

"Where is God?" by Barry Adair
(#PrayForParis)

I started to write this Thought a little early this month after watching another terrorist attack perpetrated in Paris, France. This one was much more serious than the Charlie Hebdo attack earlier in the year. 130 innocent Parisians were murdered in cold blood in the ISIL coordinated attacks with another 368 injured, many seriously. I watched the news and read some of the eyewitness reports with feelings of extreme anger, sadness, bewilderment and, of course, empathy for those affected. We in Northern Ireland have ourselves witnessed evil acts of terrorism from the IRA over the years. La Mon, Bloody Friday, Enniskillen Remembrance Day, Teebane and Shankill to name a few.

On Twitter I noticed that the #PrayForParis hashtag was being shared frequently all across the world. Although our society is becoming increasingly secular, at times of national emergency that society will often call out to God. It was also heart-warming to read about Parisians offering a bed and an evening meal to those who weren't able to get home due to the security clampdown. Taxi drivers were also turning off their meters to allow a free ride home for those able to get out of the city.

Of course some do not believe in God's existence and I noticed this tweet from one of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists in response to the #PrayForParis campaign…

Others were asking "where was God?" or "why does God allow suffering to happen?" when the terrorists were butchering in the streets of Paris. If I could share a Thought written after the devastating earthquake in Nepal in 2010, I hope this will go some way to answering these very valid and current questions…

(Just click here to go to our Thought for February 2010)

Please continue to #PrayForParis, for all those who have had loved ones brutally taken from them by despicably evil men and for those who will have to live with serious injuries sustained in the terrorist attacks.

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble" (Psalm 50:15)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3,4)

Are you SURE that you have your place booked in Heaven? Read this if you're not!