1 Nephi 3:29 Why Didn't God Intervene? PART I

1 Nephi 3:29   "And it came to pass as they smote us with a rod, behold, an angel of the Lord came and stood before them, and he spake unto them, saying: Why do ye smite your younger brother with a rod? Know ye not that the Lord hath chosen him to be a ruler over you, and this because of your iniquities? Behold ye shall go up to Jerusalem again, and the Lord will deliver Laban into your hands."

(PART 1) The God I worship intervenes and protects, when it's in our best interest.  In this part of Nephi's story, his older brothers were very angry with him, frustrated at their failed attempts to get important writings from Laban, and took their frustrations out on their younger brothers by beating them with a rod.  In a nutshell, an angel was sent to intervene, the beating stopped and Nephi was successful at getting the important writings.  

So tonight, as I'm pondering this verse for the umpteenth time, my statement seems to beg the question, "Well, what about when He doesn't intervene?"  

I think sometimes people think God is a puppeteer, that we are all attached with strings and He can make things happen, or not happen, down here on earth.  If He can send an angel for Nephi, why didn't he send an angel to me when I needed one?  If he can intervene, why doesn't He intervene all the time and protect innocents?  Why doesn't he stop the freak accidents or man's inhumanity to man?  

I have a few thoughts about this, and I'll share what I feel, but it will have to be over a couple blog posts.

Interference:  We live in a fallen, mortal world.  Accidents happen and we make mistakes because of our weaknesses.  Sometimes we are afflicted because of other people's weaknesses or errors or mistakes or ignorance.  I believe God can intervene and protect us.  I know there have been multiple times driving when I've barely avoided an accident, either by my own negligence or others' negligence.  I believe there's help on the other side of the veil that tries to guide us, whisper warnings or impressions or conjure up miracles.  I firmly believe that we all have an allotted time here, and if we don't abuse it, we can be protected by the follies we experience. I don't see this scenario as God patiently standing by, waiting for something awful to happen, and then swooping in to save the day.  No.  I believe He knows mankind so well that he knows what kinds of decisions will be made and what repercussions will come from those decisions.  I think he can inspire people to be instruments in His hands to help others.  I think He can prepare and direct angels, seen and unseen,  to help us when needed.