What do disasters like the Tsunami tell us about God?

For many people tragedy makes it very difficult for them to believe in a God of love and mercy. Others see in these happenings the judgment of God on an unbelieving world or on wicked sinners. Tragedy causes some to look for God when they see how suddenly life can come to an end. Still others blame God for the death and destruction caused. These are just some reactions, but surely there are many others.

The way in which we react reflects on which is most important to us, our physical life or our spiritual life.

If our hopes and aspirations are completely tied up in the everyday world in which we live, and we have no hope concerning the eternal life of the soul and spirit, then every tragedy seems catastrophic.

On the other hand if we have an eternal hope that goes beyond our present existence, the tragic things in life are not an end in themselves, but a part of that eternal perspective.

Death is a fact of everyday life. Millions die every day in many different ways. Often we take no notice unless it is someone close to us or someone in the public eye. Most likely we don't know the details of these tragic circumstances unless the media covers them. But death and destruction are everywhere.

Jesus spoke concerning two tragic events which happened in Jerusalem. In the gospel of Luke ch.13 v1-5 we read,

"There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you no, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish".

From this we can see that both Gentiles (v2) and Jews (v4) need to repent and turn to God to escape a fate much worse than death.