Perspective

   By L. Jim Tuck

 February 9, 2023

“Earthquakes and God’s Protection”

Greetings from Phoenix,

            The 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria early on a cold Monday morning, February 6, sent a rumbling tremor that was felt as far away as Lebanon, Cyprus, Greece, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. A second quake, which was recorded at 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck 9 hours later.

The Death Toll Climbs

            The earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday is likely to be one of the deadliest this decade. As of today, the death toll has soared past 21,000.  According to WHO, on Tuesday they warned the death toll in Syria and Turkey from the predawn earthquake could top 20,000. This prediction was given by Catherine Smallwood, the World Health Organization’s senior emergency officer for Europe. However, the casualties for this great disaster have already reached that level and could go much higher.

            In an article on Tuesday titled, “Death Toll in Turkey-Syria Earthquake Could Top 20,000, Says WHO,” the Israel National News reported, “There’s continued potential of further collapses to happen so we do often see in the order of eightfold increases on the initial numbers," Smallwood said, referring to the preliminary death toll estimate of 2,600. “…thus far, 5,775 buildings were reported destroyed in southern Turkey during the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, including 1,500 buildings destroyed in the Hatay province alone.”

            There are 24,400 emergency workers who have been deployed to hunt for the many people who are trapped beneath tons of debris, concrete and twisted metal. It is a race against time to dig them out while some may still be alive. Already many have been found and rescued. Some are trapped underground under massive slabs of concrete, and getting them out safely will be difficult.

            The devastation from this natural disaster makes it look worse than a war zone.  We pray for God’s mercy and help that as many as possible will be rescued.  How tragic it is when we see these kinds of disasters happen, and we feel compassion for all those who are suffering.

            The U.S. was hit by Hurricane Katrina, a destructive Category five Atlantic hurricane, that caused 1,392 fatalities and between $97.4 billion to $145.5 billion in damages in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. At that time, it was the costliest tropical cyclone on record.

            We see these horrible disasters, which cost many lives and maim and injure many others, besides the economic damage. Nations suffer from devastating wars, forest fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes, and pandemics. Jesus said, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:8) 

Happenstance

            Great tragedies can occur just by happenstance, and any one of us can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jesus talked about two tragic events well known at the time:  There was an incident where Pilate had his soldiers hack some Galileans with spears and short swords so that their blood was mingled with their sacrifices.  And Jesus asked them, “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. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:2-5)

            Unless we repent and by chance happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time without God’s special protection, we are like anyone else living upon this earth, and tragedy can strike.

            Human beings don’t think they need God until tragedy strikes. The world, by and large, has chosen to leave God out of the picture, and God is allowing humankind to prove they need God.  King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

            Christ and the disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee and Jesus fell fast asleep down in the stern of the boat. Fierce winds began to kick up and the waves were overflowing the boat; the disciples feared they would die. They woke Jesus up, and asked if He cared if they perished.

Even the Wind and Sea Obey Him

            Mark 4:39-41 says “He then arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’” Jesus Christ showed them Who has control over the wind and the sea and the elements which impact the earth.

            When Christ returns, the Mount of Olives will split in two (Zechariah 14:4). One can imagine how this great event will shake the earth. Maybe this will be the last deadly earthquake? Then Christ will usher in the millennium. He will be the King of kings over the earth. Mankind will come to know and acknowledge God. Jesus Christ will bring about prosperity to avert famines and supply His protection from deadly earthquakes and other disastrous events to all those who trust in Him. It is hard for us now to imagine a world where we have a Protector with great power Who can command the wind and the sea, but it will happen. There will come a time when the great casualties of earthquakes and other natural disasters will be no more.            

            Have a restful and inspiring Sabbath and a good weekend.