Reaching for the invisible God

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Psalm 119:147-148

Philip Yancey, in his book Reaching for the Invisible God, tells how, following the death of Princess Diana in a car accident, a TV producer challenged him. He said: “We want you to explain how God could possibly allow such a terrible accident.” In his wry, penetrating sort of way, Yancey said, “Could it have had something to do with a drunk driver going 90 miles an hour in a narrow tunnel? How exactly was God involved?”

When winter snow had turned a pavement into black ice, a school bus and a car drifted towards each other. The two vehicles collided and the accident took the lives of two of the four Yuill children. When friends suggested that they get counseling to deal with their anger with God, they were surprised. “Angry? How can we be angry?” Carl and Brenda Yuill asked, adding, “Sure we don’t have our children, but we’re not angry. For this we have Jesus!”

What a contrast with the attitude of the TV producer who demanded to know why God could have allowed the accident taking the life of Princess Diana. How do some, such as the Yuills, have such confidence in God in times of difficulty when others are sure that God is responsible?

Simply put, when they are confident that the Bible is true, they are also confident that God is a refuge, the One to whom you turn in times of difficulty and heartache. They are the ones who find refuge from the storm. They are also the ones who emerge from the dark night of their soul without deep wounds that refuse to heal.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:1-6