PASTOR JACK'S THOUGHTS JANUARY 18, 2010
WHERE IS GOD IN DISASTER?
Last week was a difficult time in our world. So much suffering and death suddenly became a part of our world after the earthquake in Haiti. We are all touched deeply by the horrible suffering and death that we watched on television after the earthquake. Many have asked questions about why these things happen. God has already told us that because our world is imperfect, there will be tragedies of this type until He returns and makes a new heaven and a new earth that will not be under the control of Satan. Satan is the father of death and he comes to destroy God creation. The Bible says that creation groans and we, ourselves, groan inwardly as we wait for our redemption that comes through our Savior. (Romans 8:22-23) People often blame God for all the suffering in life but it is clear that Satan is the one who instigates that but that God is the one who offers help and hope. Life is a battle between Satan's acts of evil and God's offer of hope.
Some people are saying that this is God's judgment because this nation is godless, others say that there is no God since they can not see him at work, others ask why God allows these things to happen. As Christians we know that God is working in these events in spite of the devastation. Let us be reminded that we must trust God in this and take the 'high road' knowing that we can not make a judgment call on disasters of this nature. We must trust that God is God of all and that He is ultimately working to bring people to Himself and into His love, in spite of situations that we would not choose to live through but that we find ourselves struggling with.
MATTHEW 24:3-8 Says that there will be wars, famines and earthquakes but He said that we should not be alarmed because this is the beginning of the 'birth pangs' of the Jesus' return to earth.
The people of Jesus' day lived through disasters and said that tragedies come upon cities and kingdoms because those kingdoms were evil but Jesus has a broader statement that each of us should hear. He said that because we all live in a fallen, sinful world, each of us are in danger of great tragedy but, He offers hope that if we repent and turn to Him we will receive His presence and salvation in all of life, including uncertain and difficult times. Read Luke 13:1-5
We might ask, "Where is God in all the tragedy of this current devastation in Haiti?" Our answer must be an answer of faith, that God is working through all this to help people come to know Him. His heart is always reaching out to people and He has promised this in His Word over and over again. Choose faith in God who offers hope!
Praying for our world,
Pastor Jack
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