Disaster: November 7, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7, 2013.

DISASTER

DEFINITION:

A great misfortune, a catastrophe; a calamitous event occurring suddenly and causing great loss of life, damage or hardship.

SCRIPTURE:

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

When a disaster strikes many people respond with what they feel are legitimate questions. They include: Why does the Lord let such things happen? Couldn't God have stopped this? Doesn't God care? The magnitude of disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis and floods cause death and destruction and our thoughts change from day to day activities to concerns about surviving and wanting explanations for the suffering that results.

Non-believers in our Lord have a most difficult time answering these questions because they have no relationship with God, thus they feel hopeless and alone. They have no frame of reference for understanding God and have nowhere to turn for comfort.

Believers in the Lord have the Bible to guide them as they wrestle through the issues they face. Coming to the proper conclusions on issues will depend on one's knowledge of the Bible and the depth of one's relationship with God.

We must not allow disasters to cause us to doubt God. When a disaster happens we want to ask, "How could God allow this to happen?" Isaiah reminds us that we cannot know the mind of God. God does not think as we think and His way is not our way. Isaiah assures us, however, that God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are better than our ways.

Many believers have a tendency to design a box in their mind that the Lord will fit into. But if He does not fit into that box we get upset, confused and even angry at God.

We may not know why disasters occur but we have several Biblical truths that we know with absolute certainty that will allow us to trust God in even the greatest times of our suffering.

We know that God is in control. "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all." Psalm 103:19.  Nothing in heaven or earth is outside of His control, rule or authority. We can always trust in His goodness and mercy.

The Lord loves people and wants them to be saved. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. God cares for us, even when we cannot feel it or even will not accept it.

God ordains or permits events for His good purpose. Although we cannot comprehend what God is doing, in every incident, every disaster is a wakeup call for humanity. God is alerting us to repent. Catastrophes open our ears to hear from God.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 2:9-10.

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.

PRAYER:

Thank You that You are in full control and working out every detail of our world's issues according to Your good purpose. Help my heart to always be filled with hope no matter how difficult my crises.