Former Blackout Artist

I’ve owned many different makes and models of automobiles over the years, and most of them had one thing in common: they seemed to have an uncanny appetite for innocent deer. One in Georgia, two in Kentucky, and two in Pennsylvania. Five deer in total! Instead of clear-coat sealant, perhaps I should ask if the manufacturer offers deer repellent???

Back in those days, the automobile insurance industry classified those random, unavoidable collisions as “Acts of God.” I guess that sounded better than “God hit my car with a deer.” Anyway, they weren’t the first to use the phrase.

The expression actually traces its roots back to ancient Roman law and was first recorded in English legal history in a 1581 court case to describe unforeseen natural events that no human being could prevent or control. So when comprehensive automobile insurance became commonplace in the early 20th century, the industry simply adopted the familiar legal term, Acts of God.

That terminology remained in common use until the late 1990s and early 2000s. Since then, it has largely been replaced by phrases like “Acts of Nature” or “Force Majeure” – probably because “nature” is considered a more acceptable explanation than God in our mostly secular culture.

And I’m sure God is sooo relieved to no longer be held responsible for every bad thing that happens to personal property!

All kidding aside, the change in terminology reflects something much deeper. Our world has become incredibly uncomfortable with the idea of a sovereign God who rules over His creation.

Yet Scripture leaves no room for doubt.

Nebuchadnezzar – the most powerful man on earth at the time – learned that lesson the hard way. After God humbled him, he finally confessed:

“He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Dan. 4:35)

Of course – that doesn’t mean God is the author of evil. Sin, suffering, disease, violence, and death entered the world because of mankind’s rebellion. But it does mean that nothing catches God by surprise. Nothing slips past His notice or frustrates His purposes. There has never been a tragedy, a diagnosis, a disaster, a broken heart, or even a tiny sparrow falling to the ground apart from His perfect knowledge and sovereign rule.

For us, that’s often difficult to reconcile, isn’t it? Difficult indeed!

We’re wired to ask Why? We want explanations, we want timelines. We want reasons – especially when pain touches someone we love. Sometimes God graciously gives us answers. But more often than not, He asks us to trust His heart when we can’t see His hand.

But one day, loved ones, that faith will become sight.

Perhaps, in eternity, the Lord will graciously explain the mysteries that perplexed us here on earth. Or perhaps we will be so overwhelmed by His glory, His majesty, His wisdom and love that those questions will simply fade away. Standing in His presence, we may finally realize that no explanation could ever be more satisfying than seeing Him – The Author who has been faithfully writing our story all along!

Until then, we rest in what we do know. Our God is sovereign. He is good. He never makes a mistake. And even when His ways are beyond our understanding, His heart is always trustworthy.

That’s why we can cling to that blessed promise Paul talks about in Romans 8:28, that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Amen.