My Answer to the Tsunami Question

I imagine more than a few people will never forgive God for the recent Tsunami. Today I went on Google and typed in, "Why did God allow the tsunami to happen?" The search engine found 108,000 web entries on the subject. Yeah, people are wondering. Just like they wondered why God did nothing to stop the Holocast. Before that, the First World War. Many turned away from God after each of these tragedies.

And it's not surprising. When criminals in our society commit gross crimes of willful murder, we execute them. Many people, putting two and two together, figure an all-powerful God can certainly stop a tidal wave. When it does not stop, they figure it's time to kill off God for his crimes. Either too weak to stop disasters or too cruel or self-involved to care. Right? Gas him.

Unless. . . Unless God thinks differently than humans do. Jesus made a very interesting comment when some followers reported to him that the local military ruler, Pontius Pilate, had committed an atrocity, killing many in the act of worship. Jesus said, "Do you think those murdered Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans? Not at all. Unless you turn to God, you too will die." Uh, that's comfort--not! Then he points out a recent disaster in which 18 people were crushed to death. Were those people wiped out because they especially deserved it? No, he says. [Read for yourself]

So the Young Master states two things emphatically. First, atrocities and natural disasters are not sent to punish wicked people. Second, we need to remember that we will all die soon. We'd better plan for what happens after we die, either suddenly or after old age and illness.

This is a very hard teaching. Jesus, again, proves himself devoid of sentimentality but far-seeing and wise. Instead of railing at God, he seems to be saying, we would do better to consider our common fate. In other words, things are definitely going to get worse before getting better.

Don't forget the end of the paragraph:

"...Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

All men deserve to perish at the hand of God. We should not be surprised when a shadow of justice looms dark beyond the pleasant showers of mercy and grace that we continually receive from God. But God gives a way to set aside our just desserts, as Jesus points out.

I am not sure about the authenticity of the below, it came to me via reliable sources. If true, truly remarkable!

"Tonight, Pastor Joe Griffin sent out an email: "Eighty percent of the town of Meulaboh in Ache was destroyed by the tsunami waves and 80% of the people also died.

This is one of the towns that was hit the hardest. But there is a fantastic testimony from Meulaboh. In that town are about 400 Christians. They wanted to celebrate Christmas on December 25th but were not allowed to do so by the Muslims of Meulaboh. They were told if they wanted to celebrate Christmas they needed to go outside the city of Meulaboh on a high hill nearby.

Because the Christians were adamant in desired to celebrate Christmas the 400 believers left the city on December 25th and after they celebrated Christmas they stayed overnight on the hill. On the morning of December 26 an earthquake followed by tsunami waves destroyed most of the city of Meulaboh and thousands were killed. The 400 believers were still on the mountain and were all saved from destruction.

Now the Muslims of Meulaboh are saying that the God of the Christians punished them for forbidding the Christians from celebrating Christmas in the city. Others are questioning why so many Muslims died while not even one of the Christians died there.

Had the Christians insisted on their rights to celebrate Christmas in the city, they would have all died. But because they humbled themselves and followed the advice of the Muslims they all were spared destruction and can now testify of God's marvelous protection.

This is a testimony of the grace of God and the fact that as believers we have no rights in this world. Our right is to come before God and commit our lives to Him. Our right is to kneel down before the Lord almighty and commit our ways to Him. He is our Father and is very capable to care for His children. Praise the Name of the Lord.

(Bill Hekman, Pastor, Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia."

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