Why did God allow Hurricane Harvey?

By the time you read this, hopefully, Hurricane Harvey will be long gone, but we all know that the after effects of such a tragedy take a lot longer to handle. The physical reconstruction work is daunting enough but rebuilding lives, families, hearts, and minds is another matter completely. Why did God allow such devastation? 

Many people claim to have answers, here are a few to think about.

1. We are being punished for sin.

God brought plagues against Egypt in response to Pharaoh's "hardened heart." The book of Revelation is full of disasters arranged by God to discipline those who reject him. Is Hurricane Harvey an instrument of his anger against our sinfulness?

If so, does this mean that people living on the Gulf Coast are worse sinners than those residing in the Wirral, London or New York City? God can use disasters to bring us to repentance, but is this always the explanation for such calamity?

2. Fairness demands that God ignores the crisis.

If God stopped Hurricane Harvey, wouldn't he have to do the same with every storm? Does this mean that he cannot cure anyone of cancer unless he cures everyone of cancer? He cannot protect one person unless he protects us all! Such logic is flawed. I, personally, know of examples where God has healed in response to prayer, and he has protected people in the past - i.e., in the UK we had a National Day of Prayer on the 26th of May 1940 before successful Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 against all the odds.

3. He does not know or doesn't care, or can't help.

Skeptics might claim that if God knew the devastation that this hurricane would bring, or cared for those in its path, or had the power to prevent their suffering, surely he would have intervened. So because he has not, he cannot? However, His word teaches that he is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). Moreover, his omniscience, compassion, and omnipotence are on display regularly in our broken world.

So what is my conclusion - I do not have an answer, but I know that God sometimes intervenes in natural disasters and sometimes he does not. I do know that sometimes he heals and sometimes he does not. The scripture states in Isaiah 55:8 ”my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.” 

I also know that God saves all who call upon his name, Romans 10:13 and that he loves us unconditionally despite the fact that we are all sinners, Romans 5:8. The Bible teaches that one day this broken world will be gone and that Believers will live in "a new heaven and a new earth,” Revelation 21:1.

I choose to trust God, to trust him even when I do not presently have explanations. Will you join me?

What a web we weave

 

I was visiting my mother in Scotland recently and having a look round her garden. One of the local artisans was painting her shed at the time, and so I was checking if the job was being done properly - this in itself is a bit humorous as I am 'Mr Not - DIY - International'. But, as dutiful sons do, I was checking to see if the paint was drying (I thought it did that itself!) and if the shed needed another coat. If you met my mother you would know that she wouldn't accept my word for it and would be checking later to see if the work was up to a satisfactory standard - which she did!

Bank Holiday Musings

Bank Holiday Monday. 

It is great to get away and relax on a Bank Holiday. I should say, for the benefit of those who don't live in the UK, that a Bank Holiday is a national holiday. Everyone is off work for the day. Our tradition is for everyone to go to the same places to relax. As a result we have gridlock on country roads and motorways (Highways). We all enjoy the excitement of sitting for hours in a car and wondering what time we will arrive home. All in all, it's a pretty relaxing day! I am talking a little tongue in cheek. You can have a great day out and be very relaxed if you choose well, where and when you are going. 

Are You Fearful About The State Of The World?

By Stephen Baker

The state of the world today is scary. Are you afraid? Stephen Baker discusses the state of the world today and he gives us hope as he tells us that Jesus Christ can meet the needs of our society.

Life is full of questions and often the answers are difficult. Stephen Baker seeks to answer various questions about life and faith using the Bible as his only source. Listen to Stephen’s show, “Life Questions,” on HopeStreamRadio as he tackles the challenge of life questions.