Randy & Aaron

www.truthworks.com                        12 Sept 05                          devotion archive

DISASTER STRIKES

I tell you the Truth,

Hello friends!  It’s been a quick and adventurous summer and I’m exited to be back with you again and to bring you another school year full of Truth Works Devotions.  I pray that you’re well and continuing to draw closer to God.  As always, I cherish your prayers.  Thank you for praying.

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Like most of the world, our house has remained tuned to all the destruction of hurricane Katrina for the past two weeks.  Seeing the images on television has caused my family and me to consider how fortunate and blessed we are to be safe and sound, to have a home and a job.  When I consider the devastation our fellow Americans have endured the past couple weeks, it makes my daily problems seem so insignificant.

I’ve also noticed when disaster strikes, many of us secretly ask questions.  Perhaps this thought has crossed your mind also:  “Did God intentionally cause or allow this disaster to strike?”

Well, let me start by proclaiming that God definitely allowed this hurricane.  To admit that God didn’t allow it would be admitting that God is not in control.  Listen to God’s voice as He speaks to Job concerning His control.

Job 37:1-14

    "At this my heart pounds
    and leaps from its place.

    Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
    to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.

    He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
    and sends it to the ends of the earth.

    After that comes the sound of his roar;
    he thunders with his majestic voice.

    When his voice resounds,
    he holds nothing back.

    God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
    he does great things beyond our understanding.

    He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'
    and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

    So that all men he has made may know his work,
    he stops every man from his labor.

    The animals take cover;
    they remain in their dens.

    The tempest comes out from its chamber,
    the cold from the driving winds.

    The breath of God produces ice,
    and the broad waters become frozen.

    He loads the clouds with moisture;
    he scatters his lightning through them.

    At his direction they swirl around
    over the face of the whole earth
    to do whatever he commands them.

    He brings the clouds to punish men,
    or to water his earth and show his love.

    "Listen to this, Job;
    stop and consider God's wonders.

Sometimes it’s difficult for us to imagine a loving God to allow such strife and chaos in our world.  It’s difficult for us to understand and grasp.

It’s difficult for us because we have a hard time seeing the bigger picture.  We can’t always grasp God’s full intention in all His actions.  For this reason, it is so important for us to stay in God’s word, to study His word and to allow Him to speak to us through His word.  If we try to reason things out in our own mind, we begin to create a God of our own liking, rather than accept the God that is our Creator and Savior.

The fact is this: God is in control.  He does allow (and yes, intentionally bring on) disaster.  You simply have to read His word to discover that simple fact.

However, to think that God just mindlessly brings on destruction and disaster just to punish and destroy would be like saying a parent disciplines a child just to bring pain.  With God, there is always a greater and more wonderful purpose in His actions.

There is one thing you can always be sure of, whether God is raining down blessings on His people or raining down discipline:  God’s desire is to draw men closer to Him self.  God knows what we need, when we need it, and how we need it.  He may use sunshine or He may use rain.  Regardless of what God sends us, it is always a reminder for us that He is God, we are His people and our lives need to be centered on Him.

When God grabs our attention, He grabs the attention of the lost and the righteous.

Matthew 5:45

"He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous".

Perhaps you weren’t directly affected by Katrina’s storm.  Perhaps your life wasn’t destroyed by the wind and waves.

Perhaps your disaster is on a smaller scale: sick loved ones, financial problems, torn families.

No matter what type of disaster you’re enduring right now, realize this:  God is in control.  He desires to draw you closer in your time of calamity.  He has never forsaken you.  And His love for you has not diminished.

I pray that you all are drawn closer to God this week as He speaks to your heart.

I also encourage you to consider giving to the relief effort for the victims of Katrina.  Whether you give through the Red Cross or your mission board or through the many localized projects, consider giving and praying for those who have endured a life changing disaster.  May God draw them all closer and may He be glorified in all things.

Until next time.

Randy Hunt
randy@truthworks.com
2TIM 1:7

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