More thoughts on  the earthquake in Haiti

Yes, you are there, Lord, with those suffering people. You are working powerfully for good, to open eyes, to show that the only stability in this world is in you, to bring people to yourself. You use such tragedy to get peoples’ attention and bring them to repentence and yourself.

As it says in Rev. 9:20,21, “The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts”. God allows tragedy in order to wake people up to their need of a Savior. Unfortunately many still refuse the forgiveness and love He offers.

You also are working to chasten believers to develop their spiritual maturity, and to give your children opportunity to carry your grace to those in need. You are also exposing the sin of men--shoddy building practices, corruption and lack of maintenance have made the disaster much worse.

Praise you for your greatness, O God, that in the overview of all, you know what you are doing, as well as in the details. You are the only One worth trusting, worth following, worth obeying. You are the One who brings meaning in chaos, purpose in suffering, wisdom in disaster.

Epilogue: Several months later I read a report by a number of Christian agencies working together in Haiti, telling of tens of thousands that have come to Christ in the aftermath of the earthquake, and of many believers who have rededicated their lives to living for Him. God is faithful and good! He uses all that He allows to come to us for our good and His glory.