Hurricanes, Prayer And Faith

Hurricane’s Harvey, Irma and Jose. Many people, especially Christians, believe they are God’s judgment on the US because of sin. Predictably, the sins most Christians identify are same sex marriage, the homosexual lifestyle and abortion.

None of these behaviors are the reasons why our country is experiencing these horrific hurricanes.

You will not truly understand the reason why we have devastating hurricanes until you come back to scripture. The Bible must be the foundation you depend on – not in just times like these but all the time. Nothing that happens in this world will make much sense outside an understanding of the Bible – not what people say about the Bible.

I still remember the mayor of New Orleans blaming the city’s sinful lifestyle, like the Marti Gras, as the reason for Hurricane Katrina. “It was God’s judgment on the city,” he declared. And sadly, many Christian leaders shared his view. What’s even sadder is that this same view exists today.

So, here’s my first question to you this morning – Is God behind Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose? Did He send them as punishment for sin? If He did, why did He single out Texas and Florida? Are they more sinful than other cities like Dayton, OH and Williamsburg, IN? I don’t think so.

The Bible does have the answer ladies and gentlemen.

But before we answer that question, let’s look at one more issue. The Bible says if we have faith we can speak to any mountain and it has to obey. We read this in Mark 11:23 and 24.

Many Christians, including me, prayed, declared and confessed that Harvey, Irma and Jose would dissipate before doing any significant damage. Our prayers went unanswered. Does this mean we didn’t have faith? Does this mean we are faith failures? These are not pleasant thoughts, are they?

But again, we’re going to let scripture answer these questions.

Let’s go back to the first question I asked. “Is God behind Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose? Did He send them as punishment on the US for sin?

Turn with me to First John chapter one. We’re going to read the first five verses.

(1) That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(2) (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

(3) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

(4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

(5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

The Amplified Bible renders verse five this way: “And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [nom not in any way].”

How would you characterize Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Jose? Would you say they are light? In other words, would you say they are good? Or would you say they are darkness? Would you say they are not good?

God is light, and in him is NO darkness at all. The word “no” in the Greek is ou. It’s a word that expresses “full and direct negation, independently and absolutely.” In other words, there is absolutely no possible way for god to have darkness as part of His character.

So where does this leave us? If God is not involved then that means He is not the one who sent Harvey, Irma and Jose and the devastation that followed them. It means God is not punishing us. Do you see this?

If God is not responsible then who is? Most Christians will immediately point the finger at Satan. After all, he is darkness magnified. He is evil. And doesn’t the Bible say he steals, kills and destroys? Yes the Bible says that but hold on a minute. Don’t jump to that conclusion just yet. The Bible tells us exactly WHO is responsible for these horrible hurricanes.

Turn to Romans chapter five. We’re going to read verse 12.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Now turn to Genesis 3. We’re going to read verses 17 and the first part of verse 18.

(17) And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;