Catastrophes seem to happen more frequently. Earthquakes, typhoons, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, explosions and vehicle crashes that take a heavy toll of life are almost daily in the headlines.
Over much of the United States last year the drought was considered a calamity while terrible floods were afflicting other parts of this globe. Why the imbalance? Is nature, as men say, "out of course"? Is there a cause? Zophar asked this question in Job 11:7,7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? (Job 11:7) "Canst thou by searching find out God?" At the end of Job's book, he says to the Lord, "I know that Thou canst do everything, and that Thou canst be hindered in no thought of Thine." Job 42:22I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (Job 42:2) (JND). Our God is in control of every event.
Nebuchadnezzar, the greatest of men in his day, came under the judgment of God or what men would call a catastrophe. He was demented for a period of time so that he could learn that God was in full control of all things. At the end his reason was restored and he blessed the Most High, and he "praised and honored Him that liveth forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation: and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" Dan. 4:34, 3534And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honored him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? (Daniel 4:34‑35).
The Lord Jesus cited two calamities in Luke 13 and also indicated why they had happened. Cruel Pilate had mingled human blood with the Galilean sacrifices and in another case eighteen people perished when the tower in Siloam fell on them. Clearly these two catastrophes happened to alert the living, for Jesus said, "Suppose ye that these... were sinners above all...? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
In the case of Elijah when he was discouraged, fearful and self-important, it was not the wind or earthquake or fire that reached his conscience, but it was the still small voice. The voice of the Lord heard through His Word is that for which we should listen and then perhaps drastic means would not be necessary to get our attention. Psa. 148 speaks of "fire, and hail; snow, and vapor; stormy wind fulfilling His word." For the Christian, we are comforted by Rom. 8:2828And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28). "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." This verse leaves none of the events out, but rather includes them, for God has a purpose in all. Ed.