GOD AND HIS HURRICANES
The following is a gospel tract which I prepared for street distribution:
"... stormy wind fulfilling his word." (Psalm 148:8)
Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita have put the whole subject of
hurricanes back on the top of the agenda once again. Out will come the
various charts and the various experts who will explain how and why
they arise and they will be followed by the TV crews who will bring us
the harrowing scenes of the devastation they leave in their wake.
This leaflet supplements all the technical data but brings you another
angle - the most neglected and yet the most important of all i.e. the
Bible.
What must we learn from these hurricanes?
1. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD:
The Psalmist could not be clearer. Far from being out of control, the
stormy wind is directed by the purposes of God. Every last event is
ordained of God (Ephesians 1:11) and these hurricanes, from their first
stirrings to their last blasts all come from His Almighty hand. Forget
"Mother Nature" and start thinking about "Father God."
2) THE HELPLESSNESS OF MAN:
With all his scientific advances, man can only track where the storm is
and where it has been. He cannot predict where it is going, much less
stop it. At best he can flee or batten the hatches and wait and hope.
And pray.
3) THE SINFULNESS OF MAN:
The reason why there is such destruction in the world is simply because
Adam sinned and the whole human race fell in him. (Romans 5:12) Man
carries not only the guilt of original sin, but also the guilt of
actual sin. This whole world is a moral cesspool alienated from God,
who is angry with the wicked every day (Psalm 7:11)
4) WHY THEN DO THE RIGHTEOUS SUFFER WITH THE WICKED?
Only God knows the definitive answer to that one. However, the
sufferings of the righteous in these hurricanes are on an entirely
different wavelength to the sufferings of the wicked, even though they
might share the same outward sufferings. For the elect, all things
(even their worst nightmares) work together for their good (Romans
8:28) This cannot be said of the non elect, although God is still
gracious to them in enabling them to live and move and have their being.
5) THE NEED TO BE READY TO MEET GOD:
While we are not to conclude that the people in the gulf states of
America are worse sinners than anyone else (Luke 13:1-5) yet we should
heed the warning that except we repent, we shall all likewise perish."
There will be a body count when this hurricane passes by. Death is a
reality. Death has a million ways of coming. Eternity is sure. Jesus
Christ died to save sinners (1 Corinthians 15:3) You can be saved and
be saved now.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)
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THE BIBLE WAY OF SALVATION
1) YOU NEED TO CONFESS THAT YOU ARE A SINNER BEFORE GOD:
Jesus said: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Luke 5:32)
2) YOU NEED TO RECOGNISE THAT YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF:
Not by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5)
3) YOU NEED TO RECOGNISE THAT ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE YOU:
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
4) YOU NEED TO REPENT AND BELIEVE AND SO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF CHRIST'S WORK ON THE CROSS FOR YOURSELF:
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5)
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)
5) THE EVIDENCE OF THESE STEPS WILL BE SEEN IN A CHANGED AND HOLY LIFE SPENT WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS IN SERVING GOD:
And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
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Cork Free Presbyterian Church, 10 Briarscourt
(Annex) Shanakiel, Cork, Ireland