The transition from 2004 to 2005 has been electrifying. The international ramifications of the deaths of so many people, and the wrecked livelihoods of multitudes of survivors, has brought about an international outpouring of concern and aid in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunamis that destroyed the coastlines of many nations in the southeast Asian region. This response, even toward an area of the world which of late has exhibited antagonism toward Christians and Jews, is encouraging, amazing, and comforting. The outpouring of concern, aid, funds, and love, reveals the truth that those who have grown up in nations that traditionally adhere to Judeo-Christian ethics understand the value of human life, and willingly desire, and are even compelled, to help others in need, even if the majority of those affected do not hold the same ideologies or religious affiliation. Even those who do not adhere to Christianity or Judaism within many nations have caught the urgency, and are willingly giving of their resources to assist in the clean-up and rehabilitation. It seems all mankind has been mobilized by this event!
Therefore, as often has been historically demonstrated in such disasters, in the midst of tragedy, God's love, grace, and mercy are extended, and many people find themselves willing to listen to the gospel message.
However at the same time, many still ask, "Where is God?" ""If God indeed exists, why do tragedies occur?" Or we hear sentiments such as, "A loving God would not let this happen! Therefore, God either does not exist, or He is a big bully! He certainly does not live up to His loving reputation!" So man's perception of God is directly challenged. In the minds and hearts of many, since this disaster was caused by natural phenomena rather that either man-made political strife or misplaced idealism, God is singled out. After all, someone must be responsible! In the desire for explanation and justice, there must be a perpetrator to accuse. Therefore, for lack of any other suspect, God is blamed!
The questions and accusations cannot, and should not, be dismissed. Rather, we must realize these are honest cries of suffering humanity, revealing frustration and anger at the apparent injustice of such obviously tragic devastation and loss of life. But, was the earthquake and resultant tsunamis an "act of God?" The answers are neither a simple "yes" or "no."
Is God really the perpetrator? Can we pin this "crime" on Him? And, is mankind totally exempt of any "blame"in the face of natural disaster? Is this actually a "crime?" Or is it simply nature out of control?
Obviously, the planet we live on has its imperfections, or earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanic activity, storms, avalanches, mudslides, and other natural disasters, would never occur. God created this universe and everything in it, and He pronounced it all "good." Therefore, why is it so terribly flawed and dangerous?
God Himself is the essence of "goodness." He therefore is not the author of evil. But He also does not dismiss evil as inconsequential. He is the God of righteous justice, and as such, impurity cannot dwell in His Holy presence. Rather, He requires justice be done. In this life, this justice takes the form of natural consequence of the curse. In that sense, the rigors of justice do come from His hand. But He does not create evil. Evil entered in the form of deception and disobedience to His directive, therefore, when mankind sinned, the perfect balance of this natural world became tainted with imperfection. All creation fell under the curse. The curse is not an evil itself, rather it is a consequence of the evil. This curse has plagued all creation ever since Adam and Eve sinned. So yes, mankind, by reason of his fallen nature, must take some of the responsibility for natural disorder because of sin, and yes, God's justice plays a part also.
What sin unleased is not the anger of a God who chooses to bring about punitive measures against innocent victims. Rather, natural disasters are the on-going evidence of a cursed world. In this world both righteous and unrighteous, young and old, innocent and criminal, fall under this curse that fell upon the earth. God does not sit in Heaven and decide to zap areas of the planet out of a vendetta against humanity. Rather, as in the case of this recent disaster, mankind has again come face to face with the reality of the curse portrayed through unbalanced natural phenomena. But God did not institute the curse upon all creation and simply leave it to wreak its devastation willi-nilly.
What is truly amazing is the fact that in God's prophetic program to deal with the sin of mankind, He has provided a plan of salvation which will bring those who truly repent into perfect communion with Himself, and ultimately, He will restore even the natural elements of "Paradise Lost." The curse will eventually be removed. But He also must allow the course of nature to totally unfold until all His prophetic word is complete. Why? Could He not just reverse the curse? Yes. But He must also give mankind the chance to choose to repent. Imperfection, death, and flawed nature, came about as a consequence of man's choice. But mankind has been offered, through Jesus Christ, the opportunity to choose to be restored to fellowship with God. Otherwise, God would indeed be unjust, and mankind would be relegated to the role of robotic pawns to be manipulated at will, and man could accuse Him of being a tyrant.
The righteous and innocent have nothing to fear from natural phenomena such as the recent earthquake and tsunamis, because this earthly life is not all there is. Mankind is an eternal being. Natural physical death is not the end. It is the unrighteous who have reason to fear, because they too are eternal, but face perpetual separation from God -- the Second Death in the Lake of Fire. Therefore, natural disasters remind each if us of the fact that our personal eternal destiny is of paramount importance, and that each person will one day stand before the Righteous Judge. Jesus Christ, through His shed blood atonement on the cross, has made provision for the curse of sin and death to be lifted. Each then has a choice to either accept or reject His provision. This world will come out from under the curse, but meanwhile the course of fallen nature will continue until all is fulfilled. Is God an angry, despotic, unforgiving God? No! In spite of, and in the midst of disaster, He has offered mercy and deliverance, not just for the natural existence of this life, but more importantly, for eternity!
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." I Corinthians 15:22.
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now, And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Romans 8:22,23.
The eternal destinies of those who lost their lives must be left in God's hands, because He alone is the Righteous, yet merciful, Judge. Did God turn a blind eye to the disaster? No!! Rather, He knows each victim by name, and His love and mercy are extended and exemplified through those who administer relief and aid.
So, can we blame God for this recent natural disaster? Dare we ascribe either evil intent or abject indifference to the character of Almighty God? Absolutely not! To do so is to cloud our understanding of who He is, and of His great love and mercy, and His desire to reconcile man and all creation to Himself.
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