Question: Does God send tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes as punishments to evildoers in the world?
Answer: After such tragedies, we ask, why?
Only God Himself knows why each disaster occurs. The Bible documents that God is certainly able to send any calamity He chooses OR miraculously save any people He decides to from trouble. Evidence from the Bible shows that God does not always punish evildoers while they live on earth, and He does not reward all of those who serve Him while they are still living. Unfortunately for our extremely curious minds, there is just no set formula to figure out why, when, or how God will act because He does not choose to deal with everyone in the same way. It’s natural for us to wonder why God allows some people to suffer terribly and die, especially when they are His followers rather than unbelievers. When something upsetting occurs, it’s okay to ask God, why in the world did you allow such a thing to happen?
Oh, how deep are the riches of God in His wisdom and knowledge! How mysterious are His judgments, and His ways are impossible to figure out. For what man has understood the mind of the Lord? Is any man allowed to give God advice? Who could ever offer enough of a reward to get God to change His mind about the way He does things? Romans 11:33-35
Jesus was once asked about the reasons that a group of local people were murdered, and also why some others were victims of a tower collapse. Were they reaping punishment from God? Jesus answered:
Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? No! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:1-5
God could stop all bad things from happening in our lives, but living a life in paradise is not His plan for us – yet. Experiencing sadness and pain is what causes many of us to turn to God and realize how much we need Him. God is our parent who is molding us into the children He desires for us to be. Since God created us, we have not cooperated very well with His perfect plan to transform our lives! God gave the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, a perfect place to live in the Garden of Eden. But they rebelled against Him, and our world has suffered from the curse of evil and has decayed spiritually and physically ever since (Genesis 3:17-19). There will always be tragedy, many times self-inflicted, because of our desire to do things our own way.
Besides our own selfish choices, another source of trouble on the earth is the work of Satan, who God has given limited power to throw all types of problems into our paths. However, the Bible shows us that sometimes, God does, indeed, cause calamity and destruction.
There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy. James 4:12
Great news!
God promises that these troubling days on earth are coming to an end, and absolutely wonderful days are ahead for those who have trusted Jesus to lead their lives!
God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain… Voice from God’s throne, Revelation 21:4
God is working in your present life to prepare you for your future on earth and in heaven.
Right now, ask Him to make known to you how He is working all things for your future good… (Romans 8:28)
He will begin to reveal these to you!
