by Richard Mansel

The Tsunami in Southeast Asia shook the world physically and emotionally. The death toll, at present, has exceeded 200,000. Australian researchers say, "We can still see a steady signal of the earth vibrating as a result of that earthquake two weeks later. From what it looks like, it appears it will probably continue to oscillate for several more weeks."/1

Generations will pass before the remains of this disaster fade into history. Worldwide, questions are being asked about the nature of a God who would allow such horrors.

Before answers are provided, we must acknowledge that people are confused and angry at God over this disaster.

Heather MacDonald sums up these feelings when she writes, "Centuries of uncritical worship have clearly produced a monster. God knows that he can sit passively by while human life is wantonly mowed down, and the next day, churches, synagogues, and mosques will be filled with believers thanking him for allowing the survivors to survive. The faithful will ask him to heal the wounded, while ignoring his failure to prevent the disaster in the first place."/2

Writers such as MacDonald never take the time to understand God. Instead, they seek to reduce him to human size. Cal Thomas wisely writes, "Rather than attempt to bring mankind up to God's level, many skeptics try to bring God down to man's level, remaking Him in a human image and thus encouraging the false view that God is someone who is supposed to make us happy and prosperous."/3

Man exists for God, not God for man. He is the Creator; we are the Creation. Paul rhetorically asks, "does the potter have power over the clay?" (Romans 9:21, NKJV). When Job loses everything he has, he demands an explanation from God concerning his suffering. In Job 38-41, God speaks and demonstrates his power and majesty as creator and sovereign king of the universe.

Answers do not come easily when obscured by pain. Our human eyes see from a different perspective than an omnipotent God. We look around in a narrow sense and God looks down on the world as a whole. He understands everything on a scale we cannot.

His wisdom is everlasting and is "not willing that any should perish" spiritually "but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). He created a beautiful world and has showered us with all spiritual and physical blessings. Only a good God would do such things (Psalm 33:5). If he were evil, we would no longer be alive anyway.

In Luke 13, some came before Jesus to ask about the "Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices" (Luke 13:1, NKJV). Jesus said, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:2,3).

Disasters have always been with us and will continue until the world ends. No amount of care, concern or legislation can erase that fact. We can only ensure that our souls are prepared for them (Hebrews 9:27).

Life is a tenuous thread that we must treat with care (James 4:13,14). While disasters turn people into critics of God, it should instead turn them into pursuers of God.

This world is our temporary abode, and we must be preparing for the next life where there will be no pain, suffering, or death (Revelation 21:1-7). Ultimately, heaven is the answer. This world is painful and filled with hardships and grief. Only by entering heaven for all eternity will we find the peace we all desire and an end to pain, suffering, and death.

/ 1. www.stuff.co.nz / 2. slate.msn.com / 3. www.townhall.com

For further study on this subject, I refer you to my previous article, "Who is Responsible for Suffering?" found at forthright.antville.org

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew 12:1-21

Jesus did not seek battles with the Pharisees, but they sought the battles with Him (Mat. 12:14, 15). This was so much a part of His character that when the Pharisees plotted against Him, He warned the multitudes not to make Him known, not because He was fearful, but He was not on earth to beat up people verbally. Now, when it came down to it, He engaged in debate, but He wanted primarily to teach. This nature of His, Matthew says was prophesied by Isaiah,

He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory... (Mat. 12:19, 20).

Our Master and Teacher did not quarrel, nor was He ready to pounce on those hurting or weak. How then shall we treat others?

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 41 and 42

For 22 years, Joseph was either a slave or a prisoner, although he had done no wrong. How do you deal with that? Eventually he found freedom. How sweet the words of Pharaoh were to Joseph, when the king of Egypt said,

41 See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt (Gen. 41:41).

As both a slave and a prisoner, he had a measure of authority, because he was always faithful to his God, yet, Joseph was still a slave and later a prisoner. It is better to be a free man with no authority than a man is with authority in prison! He did not know why he was suffering, but he remained faithful to God, not even knowing that God was using him to save his family years later.

Why are you enduring the things that you endure? How long shall it last? Is God using you? Keep your eyes and ears open to the possibility of serving others and God shall use you to fulfill His will. What then will happen to you if you submit yourself to the will of God? What shall God do to you?

by Don Ruhl

Read Matthew Chapter 11

Listen to the picture that Jesus paints of John the Baptist,

7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet (Mat. 11:7-9).

Verse 11 records the words of Jesus that John was the greatest man to walk the earth. John was a preacher, but think today on the portrait that Jesus painted of that preacher. Then think further of what you expect in a preacher. Is it the same as what Jesus accused the people of expecting or is it of what He expects in His preachers?

If you find a man who faithfully declares the word of God as John did, support that man with all that you are able.

by Don Ruhl

Read Genesis 39 and 40

To some people that might sound oxymoronic, for how can we call a man successful while he is also a slave? That fits the picture of Joseph.

2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian (Gen. 39:2).

The Lord is with Joseph, making him successful. Yet, he is a slave! If God is with Joseph, why is he still a slave? Things have not been going well for Joseph, but the Lord fully backs the man. That is interesting. What do we define success? Think about that today.