God Has a Purpose for Allowing Disasters
A commentary by Larry Walker
United Church of God pastor, Bend and Medford, Oregon
"I have lost my son. My God, what did we do wrong
to lose him?"
These are the words of Vijay Kumar, a grieving father whose 3-year old
son was swept from his arms by the raging waters of the tsunami as it
roared ashore, taking a horrendous toll of lives throughout Asia. Many
victims were women and children unable to flee the wall of water as it
swept them up in its fury. Millions remain in shock and grief, their
families torn asunder by this massive disaster.
What would you say to Kumar? His words are more of an expression of
profound sorrow and heartache than a question demanding a logical answer.
What he and other victims need most at this time is comfort, understanding
and compassion as well as assistance to put their shattered lives back
to some semblance of normality.
But what about the question? Many, even those not directly affected,
ask why a loving, all-powerful God did not prevent this tragedy. This
concern is fundamental to our faith, isn't it? How can we have faith
in such a God?
This question has been asked countless times throughout history—from
individual tragedies to the deaths of millions in wars, crimes, terrorist
attacks and other acts of brutality, as well as so-called "natural
disasters." The Holocaust resulted in many losing their faith in
God. My grandfather's faith was shipwrecked by the Great Depression.
Of course no mortal can speak authoritatively for God in this or any
other matter. Nor does God need to be defended by human reason. But we
can glean some basic principles from the Bible to help us understand
as well as to give comfort and hope for the future.
God created man in his image because he wants to have an intimate relationship
with us (Genesis 1:26-27). From the time of Adam and Eve, the overriding
lesson of history is not that God has rejected man, but that man has
rejected God. The deception of Satan the Devil has played a major part
in this process, also from the beginning of history (Genesis 3:1-6, 2
Corinthians 4:3-4, Revelation 12:9).
Jesus Christ came to save the world (John 3:16; 12:47) and was put to
death, as were many prophets before him (Luke 20:9-18).
Human nature runs contrary to God and His laws (Romans 8:7). Many leaders
of thought have rejected God to avoid being subject to him, with tragic
consequences to the cultures that they influenced (Romans 1:18-31). God
holds these leaders more accountable, and will punish them and others
who perpetrate evil. The book of Revelation offers a graphic description
of God's wrath on evildoers. But most tragedies should not be seen as
God's punishment, although the grim reality of death should sober us
to repentance (Ecclesiastes 9:10-12, Luke 13:1-5).
God has often been blamed for causing what He merely allows to happen
because His perspective transcends this fragile temporary existence to
the eternal bliss that He wants to share with us (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy
2:1-4). He has a plan to put a permanent end to death and suffering and
offer eternal life to all mankind, but man first has to become receptive.
As man rejected God, God simply withdrew his presence and involvement
in human affairs. The prophet Isaiah observed, " Truly you are a
God who hides himself" (Isaiah 45:15).
Like a loving parent who allows his children to learn from "the
school of hard knocks," God has backed off and allowed man to blunder
through life on his own and suffer the consequences of living in a world
largely void of His presence. He has allowed "innocent victims," even
many who have had a personal relationship with him, to suffer and die
violent deaths (Hebrews 11:36-40). These tragedies emphasize how much
man needs God's love .
The Bible assures us that "all things work together for good to
those who love God" and that "our present sufferings are not
worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans
8:28, 18).
The suffering and death from the tsunami and countless other sources
throughout history should motivate us to look forward to the time when, "God
will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death,
nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things
have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). May God speed that day!
 For
more information on how human beings learn important lessons from "the
school of hard knocks," be sure to request or download our free
booklet, Why
Does God Allow Suffering?
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