Katrina and the search for humanity
Many Christians would tell you that the Lord had nothing to do with Katrina, or any other natural disaster for that matter. Some say they’re merely by-products of a fallen world, and should be treated as such. I don’t hold to that theology for a number of reasons, and esteemed story-teller Max Lucado presents a good argument for one reason: The Lord is searching for humans, and He is serious.
I really believe the Lord loves us so much that he’s willing to go to extreme measures to get our attention. (Remember, this is the same God that said if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off!) Consider for a moment the following verses of Scripture:
“If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.” – Joshua 24:20
“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:7
“When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?” – Amos 3:6
You must be thinking “man, Tyson, this God of yours is real mean.” No, He’s just good. We just can’t see the big picture, the canvas that he’s painting around our lives. From the beginning of time, God has pursued man, desiring to live intimately with him. Sometimes it’s just hard to get our attention.
Interesting subject, but what about Luke 8:24…”They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.” Or as recorded in Mark 4:39…”He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Sound like Jesus warding off a hurricane to me.
Would Jesus rebuke something that the Father had created?
I think it’s probably more like in the case of Job, where God allows “the powers of the air” to do their damage, in effect lifting his protection at times, for the purposes you state above.
No argument there. Of course He can calm the waves, and the scene you pointed out was a great example of how God used his power over earthly powers (wind, water) to achieve His purposes, in that case to cause his disciples to put their trust in Him.
Point is, whether He chooses to save a city or destroy it, He is ultimately responsible. And when He chooses to bring calamity, its only because of a larger purpose and plan that is good.
Thanks for the comment!
So, we are a nation under judgment, it would seem, and we need to either rebuke the wind and the waves in the name of Jesus or come into full repentance as a nation. But as we saw with Katrina, the gay pride parade went on in the flooded city of sin, the President spoke of pride and rebuilding and pride and resourcefulness and pride and pride and pride. Somehow, we’re not getting the message.
“How can a god of love allow so much suffering and hurt?” ask the ones who refuse to recognize.
And we can answer:
“How can a God of Love allow a nation of such sin, with a brazen and wanton disregard for humility and compassion go unpunished?