Oppression, Suffering and Death…. Does God Really Care for IDPs

Displacement of people unjustly from their land and livelihood is not limited to some regions or countries. Many people in the world have suffered and continue to bear the load of displacement for political, social and economic reasons. In Kenya, competition for natural resources, political unrest and others have been responsible for numerous injustices that leave certain communities (groups of people) without land and homes.

 

1992 Rift Valley clashes in Kenya and the more recent 2007/2008 post election chaos are just two examples. In Kiambaa (Eldoret) a church harboring people (escaping the violence) was torched and many were burnt alive. Rape, torture, maiming and death are other inhuman acts that featured. The result was hopelessness and many blaming and questioning God.  Where was God in all this and does he really care?

Traumatized victims up to now have not come to terms with the disastrous happenings. However, a good number of IDPs interviewed on the ground have forgiven their attackers but cannot forget. The bible holds all the answers regarding God’s stand and will amidst the trouble. One of the most agonizing seasons characterized by oppression is when the children of Israel were taken captive by Egyptians and enslaved for many years. Deuteronomy 26:6-9 states that they (children of Israel) were mistreated and subjected to inhuman hard labor. But what did they do? ‘We cried to the lord, the God of our fathers and the lord heard our cry and saw our toil and misery. He then rescued us with mighty miracles and gave us land flowing with milk and honey’. 

God is the same forever and his will is not for people to suffer; instead, he recues those who cry out for him. Many IDPs have testified to drawing closer to God after their ordeal. Even now, so much more needs to be done. Housing, food, education, and proper sanitation are just examples of needs that Kenyan post-poll IDPs yearn for. Many organizations including Family Media and Habitat for Humanity are spearheading projects that meet some of these needs. God is about healing and restoration and in Psalms 12.5 ‘‘Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD. I will protect them from those who malign them."

IDPs and any other person who feels oppressed can rest assured in the words above echoed by God. In Psalm 140:12, David with confidence recorded ‘I know the lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy’. Even in suffering, there is a ray of hope and a reason to go on.  Just like God used unimaginable miracles to rescue Israelites from their oppressors, the lord is faithful and is keen to the cries of his people.