By Douglas V. Gibbs
We live in an imperfect world. Pat Robertson, with his less than biblical statement in regards to Haiti, reminded us of how imperfect the world, and people, can be.
Pat Robertson uttered something about Haiti making a pact with Satan when they were fighting for their independence from France back however long ago that took place. As a result of their decision as a nation, according to Pat Robertson, Haiti has suffered greatly, and the latest condemnation by God was the devastating earthquake that just struck the tiny nation.
Our secular culture, and non-biblical religious doctrines, have conjured up an image of God that is part genie-in-a-bottle, and part Zeus.
Many folks inside, and outside, of religious circles fall for these characterizations of God. These folks see prayer as some way of asking for wishes from God. We seem to only pray when we want something, or when we are in a whole heap of trouble. There are even televangelists that will tell you that God will answer your prayers tonight if you would just give money to their ministry (and the more the money, the more the blessings, I suppose). There are others that will tell you that your prayers weren't answered because you didn't have enough faith, and though that may be true to a point, that is not the sole reason for someone not recognizing God's response to their prayers.
I tell folks God always answers prayers when it comes to asking for things, or searching His will. Sometimes He says "yes," sometimes He says "no," and sometimes He says "wait." Personally, I think He usually says, "Take some personal responsibility, and do what you need to do."
God is not there to serve our every whim, and prayer is not a tool for getting stuff. Don't get me wrong, I believe prayer is a powerful tool, and that prayer can change things, but I believe prayer is more served as a relationship tool. I don't believe prayer should be used as some kind of personal line to God for Him to serve your wishes.
I look at it this way: We have the most powerful being in the universe who longs for a relationship with us, and He created us so that we may worship Him. Wouldn't it be in our best interest to at least talk to Him? Shouldn't we take time to thank Him? Shouldn't we be asking for understanding and mercy when an earthquake kills hundreds of thousands of people as it did in Haiti, rather than pointing a finger and saying, "You got what you deserve because you made a pact with the Devil!"
Pat Robertson, rather than making such a statement, ought to be in deep prayer for the people of Haiti, and he should be using his massive ministry as a tool to bring aid to the survivors.
Robertson, however, has decided to give Zeus-like characteristics to God.
Sure, there were moments in the Old Testament that God's wrath fell on wayward civilizations. Christ's birth, however, fulfilled the law, and God no longer needs to punish anyone in such a way. The price was paid. The price for wrong doing, no matter what it is, was paid on The Cross.
Despite the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, people still wish to see God as some kind of Zeus-like being with lightning bolts in his hands, ready to throw them down at us the moment we misbehave. I just don't see God in that way, and I am saddened by Pat Robertson's misrepresentation of God.
Rather than condemn the people of Haiti, we need to be doing what Americans always do when tragedy strikes: show our love, and send as much aid as we can muster.
And pray for the people of Haiti. God listens.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
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