Yesterday I preached a message entitled, "When God Doesn't Intervene." It focused on why God chooses not to stop the tragedies in the affairs of mankind (i.e. the Virginia Tech massacre.) I offered 6 reasons and the sixth was "sometimes we won't know why God chooses not to intervene." The wonderful thing about yesterday was that God DID intervene in our midst.

My home is about 1 hour from the church. I had taken home the laptop that powers our powerpoint to enter the slides for my message, keeping it in my brief case. I am diligent (if not obsessive) in making certain that I have everything I need before I leave the house for church. Yesterday I wasn't so diligent.

When Mary Ann and I arrived on campus, I asked her where she put my briefcase, to which she answered, "What briefcase?" Worship was 20 minutes away and we had no laptop to power our music and message AND I didn't have my sermon nots as well.

For years I have always admired preachers who do not use notes. They amaze me. I have aspired to preach like that--but the times I've tried have been less than stellar. Now I was faced with another opportunity and I knew the folks were very interested to hear what I had to say.

We found another laptop; our worship leader scrambled to enter song lyrics; and the worship center was filling up. I prayed, "Lord, you filled my mind once this week with Your truth, I need you to do it again." Well by the end of the worship service, we had all witnessed the INTERVENTION of God. Not only did I recall what God wanted said, but people were also saved during the invitation. Now that's what I call "intervention."

I just finished watching tonight’s Dateline coverage of the senseless shooting in Aurora, Colorado. James Holmes will join an infamous list of murderers who have committed senseless and incomprehensible crimes against humanity. In the coming days we’re going to hear, “Is there something someone could have done to stop this?” Or perhaps gun enthusiasts will say “If concealed weapons were legal, then the shooter would have been stopped much sooner.” Or the other side will blame the atrocity on the freedom to own guns. Surely, someone will blame the theater or the local police, or…it can go on and on.

Grief, desperation and blame are going to be common emotions after such a tragedy as this. It is a common expression of sorrow to look for someone to blame. Unfortunately, some people will blame God. I have already read such words of anger on several websites. Today I was asked this question, "Why did God allow such a terrible thing to happen?" I’m not sure my answer satisfied his sorrow, but I do know my answer is correct.

Here is what I said. “Over three thousand years ago, there was a man named Job who struggled with the same question. He asked why. He was a good man, and yet disaster struck him suddenly. He lost seven sons and three daughters. He lost all his possessions. He lost his health. Even his friends turned against him. His wife suggested that he, ‘Curse God and die.’ In the midst of his suffering he asked God why he was ever born. I want to tell you that God understands those feelings.”

Further, I said, “I have to confess that I never fully understand, even for my own satisfaction. I have to accept by faith that God is a God of love and mercy even in suffering. Times like this will do one of two things: either make us hard and bitter and angry at God, or make us tender and open and help us to reach out in trust and faith.”

My prayer today is that you will not let bitterness and poison creep into your soul, but that you will turn in faith and trust to God even if we cannot understand. It is better to face something like this with God than without him.