Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

By Allen Speegle

Sadly, in the midst of the tragedy that has recently occurred in several states bordering the Gulf of Mexico, many church leaders across America are already crying out that God’s judgment has begun, that God has lifted his hand of protection. The sad part about this is that, not only is this NOT true, but it does not offer any comfort and hope. I write this short article today because it is absolutely necessary that we who believe the message of God’s goodness do all we can to help people see the Truth that God is a GOOD God – and that He is good ALL THE TIME! Following are just a few of the statements that are often heard at times like this: “It’s the beginning of judgment”; “Pray the wrath of God will be diverted”; “God allowed it”; “God’s hand of protection is being lifted”; and “God is trying to get our attention”. These statements represent beliefs that we who know the truth of the Cross must rise up and condemn (see Isaiah 54:17).

3 Reasons We Know God Had Nothing to Do With It:

1. God is good and He is not the creator of pain and suffering.

James 1:16-17 tells us, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Psalm 34:8 invites each of us to “Taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!”

The meaning of the word “good” in these verses, encompasses the following cluster of words: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, favor, fine, glad, good, gracious, joyful, kind, loving, merry, pleasant, pleasure, precious, prosperous, ready, sweet, wealthy.

2. He would not be operating by the same relationship guidelines he gave us.

I have often said that if we did what God is accused of doing we would be arrested - and rightly so. Read and consider what is recorded in verses 39-48 of Matthew 5 in which Jesus said, “whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” God gives us these instructions because He knows that these principles work, principles by which He Himself operates. In a nut shell, God never instructs us to live a certain way unless it is the way He operates. He doesn’t say one thing and then do another.

3. JESUS……………………….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus came into this world for two primary reasons, whether the religious system of today accepts them or not. The first reason Jesus came was to become our sin on the Cross and take our judgment, thus creating peace between God and all mankind. Isa 54:9-10 declares, “For this (promise of the new covenant) is like the waters of Noah to me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah would no longer cover the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you. For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” The Message Bible says it this way: “For even if the mountains walk away and the hills fall to pieces, my love won’t walk away from you, my covenant commitment of peace won’t fall apart. The God who has compassion on you says so."

The second reason Jesus came was to show the world what God was like. Heb 1:3 says, “The Son reflects God’s own glory, and everything about him represents God exactly.” The KJV says Jesus is the “express” image of God’s person. Webster defines express as ‘to make known one’s opinions or feelings, a messenger sent to represent another, the reflection of character and mood.’ When Jesus walked the earth He said, “I only do and say what I see my Father do and say”. He also said, “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the Father”. So again, Jesus came to show us exactly what God the Father is like. If I want to understand how God feels toward me and how He treats me, and indeed all of us, all I have to do is read the gospels and see how Jesus treated people.

For greater understanding concerning what I’ve briefly touched on today, please listen to the message on our website (www.fambible.org) entitled, Not Guilty – The Gospel of Peace, which I ministered on Sunday, August 28th..

Remember - if it is not GOOD it can’t be God!!!!