Where is God When Disaster Strikes?

The Tsunami warning center has revised upward the great Japan earthquake of 2011 to 9.1 magnitude. (The U.S. Geological Survey still has it at 8.9.) It is the largest ever recorded quake to hit the area, tied for 3rd largest in history (Chile-9.5, Alaska-9.2, Sumatra-9.1, Japan-9.1, Russia-9.0). The tsunami waves recorded on video that hit Japan are breathtaking to watch (click here) and have added to the devastation. (And now the Fukushima nuclear power plant has exploded adding even more insult to injury!)

When disaster strikes we inevitably ask many questions including, "Where is God?" The answer: He's in the same place He's always been. He's right here with us in the midst of our disaster. (Matthew 1:23) He's right here to afford comfort. He's right here to provide peace. He's right here to bring healing. He's right here to help pick up the pieces.

It was a disaster when Martha and Mary's brother died. But Jesus came. And first He cried with the two sisters. (John 11:33-35) And then He went and brought their dear Lazarus back from the dead. (John 11:43-44)

The very Christ of heaven will arise in our moment of despair to bring life out of death, too, as we call out to Him.

What's Up With All These Earthquakes? (redux)

A devastating earthquake (6.3 magnitude) has hit Christchurch, New Zealand. The prime minister is calling it his country's "darkest day." (To view pictures, click here.) It was only a year ago that similar devastating earthquakes struck both Haiti (7.0 magnitude) and Chile (preliminary magnitude was 8.8). (The Drudge Report headline on the Chilean quake was: "Massive.")

You may be thinking: So what's up with all these earthquakes? This tweet on twitter the day of the Chile disaster hit the nail on the head: RT @neicyt98 Tsunami warnings for Hawaii, Japan & even Russia?? If you see 4 guys on horses or a dude with a trumpet, uh oh. (Thanks, Denise T in Tampa, Florida.) The "4 guys on horses" is a reference to the four horseman of the apocalypse in the Book of Revelation (singular ~ no "s"). The "dude with a trumpet" is a reference to the 7th angel in the Book of Revelation (and in other places) who will sound the coming of Christ and the end of the world (among other things).

And so we have the answer to the earthquake question. Like so many other answers in life, it's found in the Bible. Simply put, we're living in the last days and Christ is near, at the very door. Our Lord Himself put it like this: "'Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes (Haiti, Chile, Christchurch, where next?), and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'" (Luke 21:10-11, 27-28)

With this in mind our question shouldn't be so much: What's up with all these earthquakes? We have the answer to that. Instead, it should be: Are we ready to meet Jesus? Here's how you can be ready: How to receive Christ into your heart and life (in 30 seconds).

What's Up With All These Earthquakes?

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010. And now a quake 1000 times stronger than that has hit the South American country of Chile (February 27, 2010). (The Drudge Report headline was: "Massive.") Preliminary measurements set this earthquake at 8.8 in magnitude. It ranks as one of the greatest quakes ever recorded. You may be thinking: So what's up with all these earthquakes? This tweet on twitter the day of the Chile disaster hit the nail on the head: RT @neicyt98 Tsunami warnings for Hawaii, Japan & even Russia?? If you see 4 guys on horses or a dude with a trumpet, uh oh. (Thanks, Denise T in Tampa, Florida.) The "4 guys on horses" is a reference to the four horseman of the apocalypse in the Book of Revelation (singular ~ no "s"). The "dude with a trumpet" is a reference to the 7th angel in the Book of Revelation (and in other places) who will sound the coming of Christ and the end of the world (among other things). And so we have the answer to the earthquake question. Like so many other answers in life, it's found in the Bible. Simply put, we're living in the last days and Christ is near, at the very door. Our Lord Himself put it like this: "'Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be great earthquakes (Haiti, Chile, where next?), and in various places plagues and famines; and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.'" (Luke 21:10-11, 27-28) With this in mind our question shouldn't be so much: What's up with all these earthquakes? We have the answer to that. Instead, it should be: Are we ready to meet Jesus? Here's how you can be ready: How to receive Christ into your heart and life (in 30 seconds).