Paul
writes to Timothy 'I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which
is in you' (2Tim 1:6)
so,
to help the church with this, Heavenfire offers this brief word, because
'“Is
not my word like fire,” declares the Lord' (Jeremiah 23:29)
Tsunami: an act of God?
It's perhaps
the biggest question asked by people today. 'If God is almighty, and if
he's good, why doesn't he prevent bad things from happening?' The reasoning
goes on. 'For him to allow those tsunami to happen, either he can't be
almighty, or he can't be good'. The reasoning either concludes that God
is not both mighty and good, or seeks to justify the tragedy as somehow,
mysteriously, God's will - an act of God.
I'd like
to address briefly the second of these 'reasoned' conclusions, and I'll
begin by saying with passion that these tsunami were NOT an act of God.
Sure, God is in control. God was in control when a mighty wind swept in
from the desert and collapsed the house in which Job's sons and daughters
were feasting (Job 1:18-19), but it wasn't God who did it.
God was in
control in the parable Jesus told about wise and foolish builders - a
parable, not an actual event, but Jesus would never tell a story to illustrate
the kingdom of God without God being in control. In that parable (Lk 6:46-49)
a flood struck the house of one man and it was destroyed, but it wasn't
God that destroyed it! Satan is the destroyer (Jn 10:10, Rev 9:11). God
is the creator, and the one who created and sustains this world out of
love (e.g. Col 1:16, Jn 3:16).
God made
a promise long ago, and confirmed it by a sign and by his word, saying
"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in
the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living
creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to
destroy all life." (Genesis 9:14-15). In fact, he has revealed to
us that the next 'flood' will not be water, but FIRE!
Satan is
a coward! A despicable, self-glorifying, chicken. Satan is a loser who
pretends to be a winner by attacking the weak, the vulnerable, those whose
houses (spiritual or physical) are at risk and not standing firm. Satan,
see my shoe? That's where you are, and where you belong - under my feet
(Ro 16:20)!
In 2 Peter
3:5-6 Peter refers to the Genesis flood (Noah's flood), saying "[people]
deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and
the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the
world of that time was deluged and destroyed." Let's believe and
proclaim it together - God has never, and will never, destroy all life
by flood water. That's what villages in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka
and India lost - all life, but it wasn't an act of God.
Noah's flood
was water. Jesus' flood is fire. Peter goes on (v7)"By the same word
the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the
day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.". He's not just talking
about last-day judgement here, friends (although this, obviously, part
of what he speaks about). God's word (Jesus), through his servant (Peter)
is telling us that THE PRESENT EARTH is RESERVED FOR FIRE! Fire in the
hearts, lives, prayers, and faith of all people alive today. It begins
in those who believe. I've seen a cyclone turned away by fire-powered
intercession. I believe the word of the Lord can still the waves (Mk 4:39).
I believe that God answers prayer in the face of the 'waves of death'
(2Sam 22:5-7).
People are
calling the tsunami a 'natural disaster'. There is NO SUCH THING AS A
NATURAL DISASTER. There are natural events (events of God's nature). What
makes them a disaster is our action or inaction. The existence of faith,
and faith put into action, transforms crisis into comfort and pain into
prosperity. Mark my words, friends, over the coming months and years we'll
hear stories of God's grace in answering the fervent (which literally
means 'on the boil, on the fire') cries of his people. I can already tell
of one village I know in India that 'should' have suffered terrible damage
but merely suffered some flooding. The reason, I'm sure, is the revival
in that village beginning in 2003 when I was the first 'outsider' to preach
the gospel there!
The countries
that the tsunami hit are countries of great corruption. Places where government
support doesn’t reach the poor, even when there is a policy in place for
it to do so (and there often isn't). God has been calling for a Christian
community on fire with faith and love to minister to these nations for
centuries. His voice has been heard by some, now will more of the world
hear? He has been calling for the gospel to be preached to these countries,
and for the native peoples to hear and receive. The false gods of Hinduism,
Islam, Buddism etc have failed them. The Hindu 'goddess' of the sea, 'Gangamma
talli' has shown a lack of love for her worshippers. Now God - the true
God - will be made known!
2Peter reminds
us " the earth was formed out of water and by water ". Already,
the affected areas are being re-formed, out of water, and in many cases
their infrastructure and their faith will be better than in it was before
the waves struck. Already, aid is flooding in to the survivors of Satan's
cowardly attacks. In many cases, this aid is being sent to, and distributed
by, the servants of God, Christian pastors and agencies. " And we
know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,
who have been called according to his purpose." (Ro 8:28). Let's
make sure the aid gets to the people who are best qualified, by the fire
of the Spirit, to distribute it. Let's make sure that the aid is accompanied
by the preaching of the gospel of love, empowerment, and victorious salvation
in Jesus' name. It's not too late to fan a fire of faith and hope for
those people in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. Do it now, by
prayer, by provision, and - if you're able to - by your presence.
