Pastor's Ponderings, April 27, 2015

When Terror Comes

CNN reported that a major earthquake in Nepal, a country in Southeast Asia, killed over 4000 people on Saturday, April 25, 2015.  With no warning, thousands lost their lives.  The anguish, the terror, and the suffering are unimaginable and many across the world are rushing to help the survivors and restore the land.

When we hear of terrible tragedies like this, we are reminded that the bible states that tragic events will happen (Luke 21:11).  We can sigh and quietly thank God that we avoided this catastrophe but what happens if something like that happens in our neighborhood?  Would we be casual and dismiss it as simply, “An Act of God” or would we fall to our knees with a sudden epiphany that, “Yes, it can happen here”?

We cannot know when the next tragedy will strike, but we do know who can control those events.  God wants us to approach Him unpretentiously, stop being disobedient to His commands, and begin to pray to Him.  We can ask Him what we should do so that we can live our lives in safety.  He promised that if we would do that, He would heal our lands and fix whatever needs fixing (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Let those who love the Lord turn to Him before the next tragedy strikes and not have to wait until we are in its midst.

Luke 21:11

New International Version (NIV)

11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

2 Chronicles 7:14
New International Version (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.