Asia Evangelistic Fellowship - A Biblical Response to the Tsunami Disaster

Making Sense of the Tsunami Disaster

Biblical Answers to One of the World’s

Greatest Catastrophes

Jonathan James

"As people search for answers after a series of great calamities all over the world, Jonathan James, the International Director of Asia Evangelistic Fellowship shares seven amazing principles from the Bible to help us come to terms with the recent devastating earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. This article will challenge and expand your views about God and give you eternal hope and comfort during these uncertain days."

INTRODUCTION

How can we respond to the devastation of precious lives, homes, infrastructure and villages caused by the recent mega-thrust earthquake and Tsunami in Sendai, Japan’s eastern coast? The earthquake triggered Tsunami warnings in several countries including the Pacific Coast of North and South America. This tsunami is quite unprecedented in that the natural disaster has also sparked a human-made disaster as the reactors at the aging Fukushima nuclear power plant continue to deteriorate in the wake of the massive earthquake and tsunami.

In 2004, the impact of the undersea earthquake in Indonesia was felt in 11 countries spanning two continents. Scientists say that it even caused the earth’s axis to shift and coastlines are believed to have moved as much as 20 metres (65 feet).

What is even more amazing is that approximately 2,600 years ago the prophet Isaiah gave this remarkable prophecy from God: “Therefore I will shake the heavens and the earth will move out of her place, in the wrath of the LORD of hosts….” (Isa.13:13 Isa.13:13, NKJ). Even if this prophecy is not directly related to what has just taken place it is startling and sufficient to shake us out of our complacency and apathy. Could it be that we are experiencing the beginning of God’s prophetic timetable?

How do we respond to the fact that more than a quarter of a million people have so far lost their lives in all of this?

We can either respond in a human and fleshly way or we can respond in a spiritual and biblical way. God reminds us in Scripture:

“…For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…” (Isa. 55:8 Isa. 55:8).

Job the esteemed man of God suffered a series of terrible and tragic losses in his life and yet he was able to declare:

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21 Job 1:21).

SEVEN PRINCIPLES

Here are seven biblical principles and guidelines to help us come to terms with the Tsunami catastrophe. Only God’s eternal word can give us lasting hope, relief and wisdom so we can make sense of the events of these tumultuous times.

1. The Effects of Sin in this World >>|

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