Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

I believe that God both allows calamities and catastrophes to happen, and initiates then in accordance with his will. In Job chapter 1 Satan asks for permission to test Job’s faith. God agrees to allow it, so Satan sends various catastrophes and calamities into Job’s life (see Job ch 1 & 2).

In Isaiah chapter 45 we learn how God is sovereign over all his creation and he will do anything he chooses. In particular God says “I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7).

I also believe that God has 3 distinct purposes for sending calamity and catastrophe into our world, and each type is directed at a different group of people.

Group 1
These people have so hardened their hearts that no matter what God does they will not repent. A perfect example of this is in the book of Revelation. After the 6 trumpet judgements we read “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” (Rev 9:20-21).

Group 2
These are the people of God. Jewish believers in the Old Testament and Christians in the New Testament. We have many examples of God disciplining his people in the Old Testament because they went astray from a pure and sincere devotion to God. Finally, God used the Assyrians to remove the 10 northern tribes of Israel from his promised land. Later, God used the Babylonians to conquer Judah and Jerusalem and send the people into exile for 70 years.

In the New Testament we read this counsel from the author of Hebrews, 
“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline —then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:4-11).

Group 3
These are people whom God has called and chosen to receive his salvation and worship him. A good example of this is in the book of Jonah. God calls Jonah to preach to the city of Nineveh that God is going to bring disaster on the city in 40 days if they don’t repent. Everyone in the city, from the king down, repented in sackcloth and ashes, worshipping the Lord God Almighty.

September 20 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Each trial will bring us closer to the feet of Jesus and a closer walk with Him. This will bring us our ultimate joy.

Pray that my spouse will remember the eternal reason for trials and that she will grow through the hard times. Pray that I might be a source of support and a refreshing draw back to the Word of God where only true joy will emerge.

Proverbs 27:12 (CJB) The clever see trouble coming and hide; the thoughtless go on and pay the penalty.

December 27 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report