God And The Tsunami

In the past week, we have been overwhelmed with pictures and videos of the destruction and loss of life that has occurred as a result of the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Some people blame God for what has happened. Others say that God had nothing to do with it, it was just random chance. Both opinions are wrong. The Bible clearly teaches that nothing happens by chance. NLT Proverbs 16:33 We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. Nothing happens outside of God’s control, even natural disasters. Chance is simply a word that humans use for something for which they cannot determine cause and effect.

However, to say that nothing happens outside of God’s control, does not mean that God caused the death and destruction. Death and destruction are a result of Satan’s activity and sin in a fallen world. Death and destruction entered our world as a result of Adam’s original sin and are here to stay until the end of history. Yet, God in His awesome power, is able to use events such as these to further His purposes in the world.

Since God is in control of everything, God is in control of history. History is not a random set of events leading nowhere. History is linear, it had a beginning and it has an ending at the return of Jesus Christ to this planet. What is God doing in history? First, let’s look at one line of the Lord’s prayer. NIV Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. History is about God’s kingdom coming to earth, it is about His will being done on earth as it is in heaven. The end of history awaits more people becoming followers of Jesus Christ, that is Christians. NLT 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise to return, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.

So now that we understand in the broadest sense what is going on in history, let’s look at how God may be using the tsunami and what our response should be. The biggest barrier to the advance of Christianity around the world is the religion of Islam, with 1 billion adherents. Islam is violently opposed to Christianity in every state in which it has come to power. Conversion to Christianity is often grounds for capital punishment. Christians and missionaries are heavily persecuted. Islamic lands are almost untouched by the Christian message. God’s purposes in history will not let this situation stand and so we are beginning to see tremendous upheaval in these lands to open them up to Christianity.

Afghanistan was 99% Muslim. Now after the war, it is democratic and more open to Christian influence than ever before. Iraq was 95% Muslim and now despite the ongoing violence has a far greater Christian presence than ever before. I am not giving an opinion on whether these wars were just or not, I am simply saying that God is using them to open up closed Islamic lands to Christianity. Indonesia, the country most affected by the tsunami is the largest Muslim country in the world (87%). It has a record of increasing persecution of Christians. Now Indonesia is receiving aid from many Christian organizations around the world. Sri Lanka (70% Buddhist) and India (82% Hindu) were also impacted by the tsunami. God is and will be using these tragic events, not to punish Muslims, but to open their lands to the good news of Jesus Christ.

What should the response of Christians be to these disasters? The Word of God is clear. NLT Isaiah 58:10 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as day. God wants believers to extend a helping hand to those who are in deep distress, to show the love of Jesus to them in every possible way. If you are a believer, I encourage you to support Christian aid agencies, such as AG Relief, that can supply both physical and spiritual help. Pray that these terrible events will open up people’s eyes to the only one who can ensure their eternity, Jesus Christ.

We look forward to the end of history. One day, there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more death. But until that day, we work with God, extending His kingdom to the hungry and those in trouble, wherever they may be.

NIV Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”