Why do natural disasters happen? Isn't there something that can be done to prevent them? Or to keep them from being so devastating?
The natural world's force is far stronger than humanity's ability to control it. Why? Because the natural world changed since its creation.
Humans were brought into creation after the natural world was created. (Tweet this) Humanity's selfish pursuits upset God's paradise. But we forget all that. It's called selective memory. (Tweet this)
More questions
Why does God allow such disasters?
It's easy to say natural disasters are God's judgment. But what if it's more simple than that? (Tweet this) Disasters are the reality of people caught in the grip of powerful natural forces. (Tweet this)
When disaster strikes it should remind us how powerless we are as humans. (Tweet this) Those in the midst of it are brought to their knees. Others are moved with compassion to help those devastated by disasters.
Why doesn't the government do something? Why doesn't help get to those in need faster? And then the blame game begins. A better question is, why is it necessary to assign blame?
Don't why God, worship Him
Years ago I heard a speaker say, "Don't why God, worship Him!"
As people, we see God from our individual perspective rather than from a grander scale. (Tweet this)
What's the scale we need to have?
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. [Psalm 19:1-4 ESV]
Whether we are moved with compassion or brought to our knees, when we worship God we gain a right perspective on things. (Tweet this)
Worship is the expression of our heart poured out in response to God's greatness and love. (Tweet this)
Moved with compassion
If you've been moved with compassion by images of those devastated by disaster, here are a couple of ways to help. I know each of these ministries personally, and trust them to be good stewards of funds and goods given.
A small team from our home church in the Philippines is working in conjunction with both of these ministries on the island of Samar, hit by typhoon Haiyan.
U-Turn for Christ has sent a response team that is there at this time. Click on the link below to see what they are doing and to give.
http://uturnforchrist.com/more/haiyan-response-team/ [click on this link to donate]
Calvary Chapel of Lone Mountain [click on link below photo slides to donate] is connected with the Training Center in the Philippines I helped establish in 1995. For updates click here— https://www.facebook.com/PhilippinesReliefCalvaryChapel
Typhoon Haiyan (known as Yolanda in the Philippines) was one of the most powerful and destructive storms ever recorded. Relief work and restoration of homes and lives will be a long process. Please keep praying for the people of the Philippines! (Tweet this)
Thanks!