Scriptural Reference:
"The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are
any who understand, Who seek after God."
Psalm 14:2

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness"
Romans 1:18

Reflection:
In our somewhat crazy world of insurance and insecurity the phrase "an act of god" has taken on a wide range of meanings. Mostly to imply that an insurance company is exempt from paying out on a claim for damages. The event falls under the auspicious act of god that can not be predicted or negated. Funny that companies can use this even though many of the people within them are atheists and do not even believe in a god. So where do we go to understand what a Biblical consideration of an actual act of God, with a capital 'G' for emphasis.

The concept of an “act of God,” is central to the biblical understanding of God and his relation to the world. Repeatedly we are told of the great works performed by God on behalf of his people and in execution of his own purposes in history. From the “song of Moses,” which celebrates the “glorious deeds” (Ex. 15:11) through which Yahweh secured the release of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, to the letters of Paul, which proclaim God's great act delivering us “from the dominion of darkness” (Col. 1:13) and reconciling us with himself, we are confronted with a “God who acts.” The “mighty acts” (Ps. 145:4), the “wondrous deeds” (Ps. 40:5), the “wonderful works” (Ps. 107:21) of God are the fundamental subject-matter of biblical history, and the object of biblical faith is clearly the One who has acted repeatedly and with power in the past and may be expected to do so in the future.

Yes, our God is one that is active and participates with those who follow and worship Him. Unlike the many false idols of gods and goddesses, our God breathes life into His children. As we look back on how things were in both the old testament and the New Testament, we see that God was active as a Father who works to teach and raise His children in a righteous way. God's people, both than and even today, were very busy making money, accumulating things, and practising their religion or lack of faith. Doing as they pleased to essentially please themselves. We also see that God was also very busy; sending famines, droughts, blights, locusts, epidemics, warfare, and possibly earthquakes in judgement for their unrighteousness (Amos 4:6-11). He, had and still does, hoped that they would heed these "minor" warnings before He sent the rod of His anger against them (Isaiah 10:5). All through our life's we can see that rain fell on one part of the country and not on another. When it rained, it rained too much, causing floods. In other places just enough rain fell to deceive the people into feeling a sense of hope—that it was not so bad after all. Rain fell on one part of the country and not on another. When it rained, it rained too much, causing floods. In other places just enough rain fell to deceive the people into feeling a sense of hope—that it was not so bad after all. In effect we see that God makes the sun He created to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. God will do as His holy will knows best to do.

One of the odd things, referring to how tragedies will occur, is in the way humans will talk about disasters. If a plane crashes and there are no survivors many will complain and ask where God was. Yet if a plane in terrible shape and not air worthy, somehow lands, these same people will praise the pilot. Tragic how God is used to justify our mistakes while being the scapegoat. In our modern dictionary definition of an act of God is "an instance of uncontrollable natural forces in operation". In this short sentence we see how nature has supplanted God. Replacing Him.

If we look at the Book of Job we will see many acts of God. The acts God written throughout the book details how God can and will act in ways we may not fully understand. As usual many people would read this book and project their own prejudices and create their own opinions. Jobs' friends did the same thing. They sat with Job in what Jewish culture calls a time of Sitting Shiva. A period of seven days of mourning. The primary purpose is to provide a time for spiritual and emotional healing, where mourners join together. The first part is where the victim can express their worries and concerns. While at the end the friends can offer their support and advice. Yet, like many people today, Jobs' friends turned on God and urged Job curse God (like his wife did) or admit what grave sin he had done. There was no room for accepting that God can and will do things as per His plans and not ours.

This may sound cruel for some people. So they prefer to write acts of God off as just really random acts of nature. Or if you believe the current climate change conspiracy; we are all doomed. Not because we have turned our backs on God but because we have upset the worlds natural order. More God denialsim at work.

We will all feel pain and frustration when things are difficult or we lose someone we love. Yet as Christians we need to always remember that God is in control. What we experience in this limited life we live is nothing compared to the eternal bliss and joy we will experience with a God who will be with us.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,

We are awed with your majesty.
You're wisdom is more than,
We can ever understand,
We could ever expect.

Your acts are designed to,
Bring us closer to you,
Teach us life lessons,
And mould us to your image.

Yet something's we won't,
Understand what has happened,
Why these things happen,
Yet we will still trust in you.
Amen