In the past week I have been amazed at the devistation from hurricane Katrina. I have also been completely gobsmacked as they say here in the U.K. at not only the media, (both American and U.K.) but also all those out there speculating on why this happened. The latter is what I would like to focus on. I'm sure in the next few days I will have some words for the media as well.
Here are some of the things I have heard within two days of the landfall of the hurricane:
1. This is God's judgement on the U.S. because of the U.S. waging war on Iraq and killing innocent Iraqi's.
2. This is God's judgement on America for it's policy in supporting the Israeli Government in the removal of the Jews from their homes in the Gaza strip.
3. New Orleans had it coming because it is such a sinful city.
First off let me just say that I don't know why this happened and I'm pretty sure no one else does either, but I would like to respond to these statements with scripture as my guide.
To those that might think that this is a result of the war on Iraq, isn't it just as possible or even more so that the war on Iraq is God's judgement on Iraq for the slaughtering of hundreds of thousands of their own people, Iranians, and for their support of terrorists. Check out what the bible says because that is the final authority.
Romans 13:3-4 " For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
In regard to the Gaza strip, wouldn't it make sense also that some major catastophy come upon the Israeli government since in the end they had to implement the policy. In other words, they are just as copable as the United States, probably even more so. In Genesis chapter 12:3, God tells Abraham the following: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." I think the Israeli government is just as copable as anyone. I didn't see any American soldiers taking people from their homes, those were Israeli soldiers taking their own people from their homes and I might add, some of them were in tears having to carry out the orders from above. The U.S. has stood beside Israel for years and has had to take much criticism for it, so I would be very slow to blame the hurricane on this situation.
Last but but not least, if God took out New Orleans because of it's sin, look out Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Detroit, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Etc.... Every one of these cities is riddled with sin as well as every human being on the face of the earth. The bible says that " All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." -Romans 3:23
In reality all of us deserve what New Orleans got but God is mericiful. This reminds me of when Jesus' disciples asked him why the man was blind from birth;
JN 9:1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
JN 9:3 "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
So, it's possible that God allowed this to happen (and He did, God is sovereign!!) ultimately so that his love and mercy would be demonstrated through His people. So instead of everyone trying to figure out why this happened, lets see what we can do to help.
I guess some of these senarios are possible but we don't know for sure. I remember when the towers came down on 9-11 and Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell very soon after made the statement that it was God's judgement on America for it's sins of homosexuality and abortion. That was possibly true but unless we know it for sure, I think we need to be very careful with our words. I think these words from James in the bible sum it up pretty well, " My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
There will be wars, storms, and tsunamis and earthquakes because we live in a sinful world. When sin entered the world, it didn't just affect man but all of creation as it says in Romans 8:22
"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. "
Check out also the words of Jesus in Matthew 24: Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, `I am the Christ, ' and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
MT 24:9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Man, does that sound like today or what?
I think that pretty much sums it all up.
Marc
