As of this writing, some thirty-two people have died from the terrible flood in Kerr County, some twenty-seven of them children, most of them were campers at a Christian camp. Many people are still missing. As it continues to rain, more areas around South Central Texas and the Hill Country are in danger of flooding. The images of children who perished in the flood, as well as the images of children and adults who are still missing, break our hearts. We cannot help but wonder, 'Why, God?'
I cannot answer that question. During such times, the great danger is to engage in what is known as 'keyhole theology.' When you look through a keyhole, you are limited in what you see. You may see enough to understand certain things, but not the totality because you only see in part. We are finite beings. We do not see everything. The apostle Paul himself said that on this side of eternity, we only know and see 'in part,' (1 Cor 13:12). One day, when we are Home, we will see and know in full. Knowing this should produce humility in us. We cannot and do not understand everything.
God has given us many reasons in His Word why natural disasters occur, and the reasons are too many to list in this post. It is important to note, that there are several natural disasters mentioned in the Bible where there is no explanation given whatsoever for why the disaster happened. God doesn't always tell us 'why.'
So what are we to make of such times? There are some important truths from Scripture we must remember:
First, we live in a fallen, broken world. Romans 8:19-23 reminds us that creation itself groans to be redeemed and renewed along with humanity. Creation itself is experiencing the effects of the Fall, the effects of sin. And, in this fallen world, terrible things happen: floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and droughts and so on. Christians look forward to that day when there is a new heaven and a new earth, when all things are new (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation21:4).
Second, when we study Scripture, we see the following themes: Creation. Fall. Redemption. Renewal. New Creation. This narrative should shape how we as Christians think about life on this side of eternity, and that includes times of suffering and pain.
As we learn how to think Biblically, we undertsand that ultimately, sin and evil, death and suffering and pain do not win. God the Father sent God the Son to address our greatest problem and meet our greatest need. Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners like you and me, taking the punishment for sin that we deserve, so that you and I could be forgiven and reconciled to the Father. Through Christ, God is reconciling all things to Himself (Colossians 1:20).
Because of Christ, we have great Hope (assurance), and we know that God is working all things ultimately together for His glory and our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). God is Good and He is Sovereign. His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8). There is much we will not understand on this side of eternity. That said, there is much we can and do understand that we must act on as Christians when there is suffering and pain.
Third, when people are hurting and agonzing under the weight of pain and suffering, as Christians, we are to do what we can to alleviate the pain and suffering. Scripture is very clear on this matter. We are to be The Good Samaritan. We are to pray for those who are hurting. We are to take the gospel to those who need to hear that there is indeed Good News. We are to help meet practical needs and carry the burdens of others in Jesus' Name.
We may not know the 'why' to things like natural disasters, but we do know what God has clearly told us to do as Christians when people are hurting, so let us be about that.
Grace to You,
Pastor Kevin