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| 2005 Archives: Did this hurricane surprise God? No, not at all. Hurricane, tsunamis, and other natural disasters can be attributed to weather and the science of meteorology. But Who is in control of the weather? I believe the psalmist when he said, “the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world an all who live in it for he formed it and established it upon the waters” God is in control. He asked Job the question “what is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the eastwinds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts the channel for the torrents of rain and a path for the thunderstorms?” God is mighty! He sits on the throne. He is our Almighty God and Father, nothing is too large or too small for Him. Are these natural disasters a wake call for America ? Was 9/11 a wake up call also? One can argue that they were. But it does raise a question in my mind. What if God is indeed showing us just a small fraction of His awesome power and strength to remind us that He is supreme, He is omniscient, He is almighty, He is our one true God and Father, Creator and Sustainer of the universe and beyond. God is mighty! Since we are asking questions; there are thousands of people asking the question, “Why did this recent hurricane happen? Why did so many good people die? I don't know. A bigger question is: What is the extent of God's mercy on an unholy world? The answer is found all throughout the Bible, one example is found at John 3:16 Paul in Romans 9 and 10 also explains it beautifully. What would be the reason for showing His might? Again, I don't know. Maybe it is to inform us. He wants us to make a decision. The bottom line really is a decision. All humanity has a choice to make. Do we accept God as our Father and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and Master? Do we acknowledge and worship our Lord, giving Him thanks and praise, or not? Are we smug and arrogant as Americans? Generally speaking, I think we are. We are the wealthiest nation on earth as a whole. We are smug about our lifestyle, not venturing out our comfort zone, not wanting to get our hands dirty. We are arrogant to think that a loving God will continue to tolerate our attitude on our many corporate and national sins, such as abortion, corruption, immorality, greed, celebrity worship, idolatry – just to name a few. We as Americans want instant everything; we are concerned about the external rather than the internal – again generally speaking. Does this lifestyle cue up with what God desires for us? No, God is against the proud and arrogant. I am reminded of another arrogant person in the Old Testament, a man by the name of Nebuchadnezzar. He ruled the Babylonian empire as a tyrant. He had a lavish palace in Babylon . He was full of pride and arrogance. When he declared on his palace rooftop “is not this great Babylon I have built as the royal residence by my mighty power and the glory of my majesty?” And just as he was finishing his arrogant statement, he was transported supernaturally to a grass meadow somewhere left to live as an animal! He was full of pride and mocked God. This pride was wiped away as soon as he was restored. He realized his mistake of pride and smugness and immediately praised God and honored our Lord. Nebuchadnezzar is an example to us all who are prideful. God has no problem humbling the proud. So what does Nebuchadnezzar have to do with hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters? I have no idea! Other than, in the former case, pride was changed by punishment, which produced humility and worship. Nebuchadnezzar said, “I Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all His ways are just. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble” God is in control of an individual's life –even a mighty king. He is in control of the universe and everything in it. So are we to be fearful and anxious that God will bring some awful wrath on us? It depends on what side of the choice you are on. If you are believer and follower of Christ, you have nothing to be anxious about at all. For those of you who are not believers and followers of Christ ….in other words, if Jesus is not your Lord and your Savior, then –Yes it would be wise to fear God's wrath. Is hurricane Katrina a sign of God's wrath? Is this natural disaster a wake-up call? It may be. Even if it isn't, the bottom line hasn't changed. A choice needs to be made. This choice will be a life altering choice. One needs to jump in –head first. If you feel lead to this choice, it is no accident. God desires this to occur, and His Spirit will lead you. Open your mind and your heart, and bend your knee before the cross. Sometimes God uses a small nudge on our shoulder and maybe sometimes He even uses a hurricane to open our eyes and our hearts. |
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