When Disaster Strikes

  • Ken Ramey
  • Jan 24, 2010
  • Series: Luke

Luke 13:1-9

This week, we've been watching, reading, and listening to the things that have happened recently with the earthquake in Haiti. Still, it is hard to relate to or fully appreciate the circumstances there because most of us here in the U.S. have never experienced anything of that magnitude.

Unfortunately today, many people discount or ignore God's role in the occurrence of a natural disaster, such as the one in Haiti. But the Bible clearly states that God sovereignly ordains such events. Borrowing a common worldly vernacular, one could say that "Mother Nature" is under the sovereign control of Father God (Job 37:10-13, Psalm 147:13-18). Beyond this, we know from scripture, that God calls us to weep with those who weep, and that He also calls us to repent, for every calamity is a merciful call from Him to repent. Indeed, every disaster is ordained by God and is used for His sovereign purpose.

Though we can never fully understand the reasons why God commands disasters to happen, but we certainly know in general why He does. Verses 1-9 of Luke 13 tell us the reason why. However, we should not  make the mistake of believing that people who are victims of disasters are any more worthy of their fate than we, or that they should be punished more for their sins than we. Indeed, they are no more sinful than any of us. We should also remember that although human tragedy is not always brought on as a result of sin, there is definitely a correlation between calamity and iniquity. This is because we live in a fallen world - a creation that has been corrupted by sin. As such, we should be ever ready for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by living in obedience to His Word and serving Him faithfully. His return will be as a righteous judge of the sins of men and He will increasingly unleash His wrath during the time of the coming tribulation. The wise will consider the signs of our times as a "severe storm warning" from God!

Jesus has called us to repent, and unless we do, He assures us that we will perish as well - forever in Hell. God is calling us to turn away from our wicked ways and turn to Him. We should be thankful that He has postponed His return in order that we may have the opportunity to repent. Don't be like many who have gone before us and presume God's patience!

When Disaster Strikes

  • Ken Ramey
  • May 14, 2008