When Disaster Strikes
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· 35 viewsIn the wake of Hurricane Harvey, many of us have a lot of questions about God and life. How can we bring clarity and resolution to what we face and who God is?
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When Disaster Strikes
When Disaster Strikes
Introduction:
1. In recent years, natural disasters have struck different regions of the world...
a. Tsunami in Asia (2004)
b. Hurricane Katrina (2005)
c. Cyclone in Myanmar (2008)
d. Earthquake in Haiti (2010), and most recently
e. Hurricane Harvey (2017)
2. When disasters like these strike, people often raise questions such as:
a. Why did it happen? Did God cause it? If not, why did He allow it to happen?
b. What can I do? Does it do any good?
[With Hurricane Harvey still fresh on our minds, let’s attempt to provide some answers…
I. Why did it happen?
I. Why did it happen?
I. Why did it happen?
I. Why did it happen?
I. Why did it happen?
I. Why did it happen?
Did God cause it?
Did God cause it?
1. It is common to call such natural disasters "acts of God"
2. Perhaps because God has used natural disasters in the past; for example:
a. The flood - ,,. Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - ;
c. Famine, drought, pestilence, plague, war, earthquake, against Israel -
3. But it would be a mistake to attribute all disasters to the hand of God
a. Disasters are part of a natural process in a planet’s evolution and ecology
b. Sometimes God simply allows such events to run their course according to "time and chance", and so many experience tragedies due to no fault of their own -
11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.
c. Some disasters are man-made (Chernobyl, bridge collapses, forest fires)
d. Suffering often comes upon the innocent - ;
8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!
11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house,
14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,
15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.
19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.
21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”
22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
. Thus we should not make the mistake of Job's friends, presuming guilt on those who suffer tragedy -
7 After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken accurately about me, as my servant Job has.
Without divine revelation, there is no way we can know if “God caused it”.
Without divine revelation, there is no way we can know if “God caused it”.
Why does God allow it?
Why does God allow it?
1. If God didn't cause it, why does He even allow it to happen?
2. This relates to the overall problem of suffering, which God may allow for several reasons
a. It keeps this world from becoming too attractive, encouraging us to seek something better - ;
b. It can bring out the best in people (patience, generosity) - ;
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
c. It encourages people to think of God, to draw near to Him in repentance
3. Whenever the innocent and righteous die, we should bear in mind:
a. The death of the righteous is precious in the sight of God -
b. The death of the righteous removes them from all suffering and evil -
c. The death of the righteous is truly a blessing! -
d. Even the innocent young are delivered from much heartache and sorrow!
Whether caused by God or not, disasters can result in much good!
Whether caused by God or not, disasters can result in much good!
[Which leads to our next question, which often comes from those responding to disaster and suffering…]
II. What can I do?
II. What can I do?
Our key verse for this morning is
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
A. AS WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY...
As we have opportunity, we are to do good - What we can do depends on what we are able to do
a. Our skills, our resources
b. Whether we are nearby or far off
3. If the need is nearby, we may be able to help directly
a. With skills like medical aid, trash cleanup
b. With resources like medicines, food, clothing, shelter
4. If the need is far off, we can help indirectly
a. Supporting those with skills who desire to go
b. Supporting charitable organizations
5. Thoughts about charitable giving
a. Give to established charities with experience in the affected area
b. Use guides like Charity Navigator to find one you can trust
c. Send cash, not food, clothing, etc.
6. While donating tangible items might make you feel better, giving cash is almost always a better option - to understand why, read these two articles:
a. Cash Is Best - Center For International Disaster Information
b. What's the absolute best way to help after a natural disaster abroad? - Slate.com
Again, what we should do depends upon our opportunity
Again, what we should do depends upon our opportunity
B. DO GOOD TO ALL...
As we have opportunity, we are to do good to all men - Like the Good Samaritan -
Non-religious, charitable organizations are especially good for this, for example:
a. Doctors Without Borders (especially good for immediate help)
b. Mercy Corps (especially good for long term help)
As well as Christian organizations such as:
a. Convoy of Hope
b. Christ in Action
4. I prefer non-sectarian instead of faith-based organization for general charity, because many of the latter teach false doctrine while they seek to help - cf.
We should not hesitate to help those who may not be Christians
We should not hesitate to help those who may not be Christians
C. ESPECIALLY THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH...
1. As we have opportunity, we are to especially help our brethren -
2. Like Gentile Christians did for their Jewish brethren in Christ - ;
3. Churches can certainly send aid directly to such Christians -
4. Individuals can sometimes use other channels - e.g., Open Hearts, Helping Hands
When we know of Christians in need, we should not hesitate to help
D. FINALLY, WE SHOULD PRAY!
It is our duty as Christians to pray for all men - We should pray for those directly afflicted, and their loved ones
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
3. We should pray for those providing relief (governments, NGOs (non Government Organizations), and individuals)
-- The prayers of the righteous can accomplish much good; not only in accountability situations as what James is referring to here but in all prayer! - cf.
16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
Conclusion:
1. Disasters are terrible, but they can be occasions for much good in this world...
this world...
a. The wicked can turn to God
b. The righteous can draw closer to God
c. People can become more charitable, foes can become friends
2. With faith in God and love for our fellow man, we can make the best of the situation...
a. Strengthening bonds between brethren
b. Bringing communities together
c. Appreciating what is really important in life
So in times of calamity/disaster/tragedy, trust in God and reach out to aid your fellow man!
So in times of calamity/disaster/tragedy, trust in God and reach out to aid your fellow man!