The God of Disasters (4)

Consider the recent major natural and "man-made" disasters that happened in various parts of the globe. To put it mildly, none of the affected peoples and regions represented the very picture of Christian holiness. Without a personal revelation from God, we cannot claim to know the divine mind when it comes to the specific reasons and purposes for these events. However, we can be as specific as a deduction from scriptural principles would permit. On this basis, the least we can say is that no one should be astonished at the idea that God caused these disasters to kill some of these people as judgment against them, and as a warning against those associated with them.

Perhaps some would agree that the victims of these disasters were sinners who deserved what happened to them. They were idolaters, fornicators, cheaters, oppressors, and the lovers of self and wealth rather than lovers of God. However, it might seem to these people that to admit this about them would be to add insult to injury, and to scorn the very memory of them. While I understand this perspective, I do not sympathize, for this reaction exalts man to the point that it would honor those who oppose God, rather than to take warning from their demise.

Instead, where disaster strikes, we should say, "These people were idolatrous, covetous, riotous, and wicked to the core. Although God might have other reasons for it, this appears to be God's judgment against them, to punish them and to warn others. I fear that I am not ready to meet God at this time. If I had been one of these people who died, I might be suffering in hell by now. If disaster strikes and destroys me today, I fear that God would cast me away from his presence to be tortured by hellfire forever. I must repent. This cannot wait any longer. I must get right with God now."

It should also make us think about others in the same way, so that we would say to them, "Friend, you are not ready to meet God. Disaster might strike today, or your life might be snatched away tomorrow. Your life is but a vapor. Repent! Repent! Repent while there is still a little time. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Forsake your sins. Destroy your idols. Call upon him to save you from this perverse generation." Yes, mourn for the victims, even honor their memory on a human level, but do not make them into saints and heroes if they were sinners and criminals. Rather, be warned that "unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Reprobates do not react this way, but disasters make them even more obstinate. They assure one another that the victims were innocent and honorable, and that they were wholly undeserving of what happened to them. They consider it impossible that God would judge in such a fashion, or that God would judge them in such a fashion. And if these disasters indeed come from God, then he is to be denounced and cursed as an unrighteous and unworthy deity.

(to be continued)