Whenever a great disaster comes upon the Earth, people cry out to God and demand to know: Why? (Even your own children may be asking this question.) For many, they cry out to a god that will never hear them. It reminds me of Paul's sermon in Acts, Chapter 17. Here is an excerpt:

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts 17:22-23 (KJV)

Great tragedies of today can become eternal tragedies! The earthquake and subsequent tsunami, on December 26, 2004, that caused so much death and suffering has been called a disaster of biblical proportions. Of this statement, there can be no doubt. Think of the account of Noah's flood. It came upon the people suddenly, but yet there was warning.

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7 (KJV)

It took Noah about 70 years to build the ark. The construction was a visible testimony to the world of what God said would come. Read what the Lord Jesus said about the times of Noah (Noe).

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:26-27 (KJV)

This great disaster happened in a region of the world known as the 10/40 Window. There are many facts concerning this part of the world that you can read about with a simple search on the internet. The most notable fact is that 97% of people groups, unreached by the Gospel, are located here.

It is an area dominated by every major non-Christian religion. These include: Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, and Atheism. This gives us insight into why such a monumental tragedy happened. It is not the random act of nature, but the very hand of God. It is something that we can't fully comprehend this side of Heaven. But, there is one possibility, that perhaps, has not been spoken of much. That is, that God did it because of his great love and mercy.

We know this is the very nature of God. He gave his own Son's life that we would be reconciled with Him. This geographical area of the world is trapped in deep spiritual darkness. Many are crying out TO THE UNKOWN GOD! God has told them that their gods will not answer them. Their gods were not able to save them, in any measure, from the death and destruction they have experienced. It was but a tiny demonstration of the awesome power of God.

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plentious, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matthew 9:36-38 (KJV)

We are told what to do. Let the Lord's people respond with compassion, just as Jesus did. Pray. Give. Go as the Lord leads.

God bless, Mike


The following web resources were referenced in this article:
Answers in Genesis: Noah's Ark
Think Wow: The 10/40 Window