Natural Disasters

Many people in this world blame God for natural disasters. Fair enough, free country, however, in the shadow of the events that have happened and are still happening over in the great country that is Japan, I thought exploring what the Bible says about natural disasters would be a good idea. 


It's often a question that comes up when talking to people about God, when people know that you believe in the Lord they often try and break down your belief by questioning you, which I admit, I find difficult. It's like it's not normal to have a Christian belief, which in itself is a strange idea as we are all made in God's image, all hand selected and created by him for this life and the next. As I say, people say 'where is your God in all of this' or 'if there is a God why would he do something like this to people'. 


If you step back though, taking a look at what the Bible actually says about natural disasters, we discover that there are a number of places the subject actually crops up. God said that natural disasters would grow in intensity and frequency as the end of the age approaches - to shake people out of being complacent and toward Him, to seek Him. 


A couple of quotes:


We don't know all the reasons God brings or permits specific calamities or why particular people are made to suffer by them, but we should trust that in God's omniscience and ultimate wisdom He knows how to work out what is best for everyone in the end (Romans 8:28; 1 Timothy 2:4).


and one that really makes me think:


Natural disasters or accidents should humble us, helping us to see our dependence on God to sustain and deliver us (Revelation 16:8-11).


We visited Japan on our honeymoon no less than 5 months ago, we loved every bit of our time over there, the culture, the people, the food! This is me in Shinagawa station on the day we left...

Then, during all the Japan quake media coverage I discovered this picture...

It's strange how within the space of a few months people standing in the same spot can have such different emotions, countries can change, lives can be lost, homes destroyed. We pray for each and every person affected by the Japan disaster.


Regardless of what happens on this planet, what natural disasters hit different parts of the world, if we have the Lord in our lives, then we know that whatever happens we will be safe, we will be saved. God is a truly loving God who is working out a great plan for all humanity.