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Dealing with Disaster - (1 of 3)

When we hear stories of natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, and the raging forest fires taking place now in California, our minds tend to wonder what is these people may have done to deserve this type of judgment.  But we must remember that natural disasters and other hardships are merely a part of living in a fallen world.  One of the most recorded natural calamities in Bible is famine.  Lifeway offers this on famine, "While not always the result of divine judgment on sin, at times it did indicate the Lord's displeasure with something in the experience of His people, Israel."  And as they continued, "The purpose (of famine) was always to lead them back to Him and to seek His favor."

So how do we deal with crises?  What do we do when disaster strikes?  We see a good model set for us in 2 Samuel 21:1-14.  (vs 1-3 here)

After experiencing three consecutive years of famine, King David did what any wise man should do - he "inquired of the Lord."  The first thing to do when you're facing a battle is to seek God's presence and will.  Once the Lord had answered David and told him that the famine was caused by a wrong committed against the Gibeonites years ago by the previous King, Saul, David knew he needed to fix the situation - easier said than done.  But he set out about in the most ingenious way - David went to the Gibeonites and asked, "What should I do for you?  How can I make atonement so that you will bring a blessing on the Lord's inheritance?"  David set out to not only solve the problem but also to restore the relationship among the people.

This is how God approaches us today and how are to approach others, with a focus on redemption and restoration.  So many Christians have John 3:16 memorized, but John 3:17 carries a great truth as well - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

 Key Thought:  God disciplines his people with a view toward redemption.
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