Today’s question is, "Why does God allow
natural disasters, like earthquakes, hurricanes,
and tsunamis?"
In this video I’ll answer that question
from a biblical perspective.
Afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful
resources, so stick around until the end.
Why does God allow earthquakes, tornados,
hurricanes, tsunamis, typhoons, cyclones,
mudslides, wildfires, and other natural disasters?
Tragedies cause many people to question God’s
goodness.
It is distressing that natural disasters are
often termed “acts of God” while no “credit”
is given to God for years, decades, or even
centuries of peaceful weather.
God created the whole universe and the laws
of nature (Genesis 1:1).
Most natural disasters are a result of these
laws at work.
Hurricanes, typhoons, and tornados are the
results of divergent weather patterns colliding.
Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s
plate structure shifting.
A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.
The Bible proclaims that Jesus Christ holds
all of nature together (Colossians 1:16-17).
Could God prevent natural disasters?
Absolutely!
Does God sometimes influence the weather?
Yes, as we see in Deuteronomy 11:17 and James
5:17.
Numbers 16:30-34 shows us that God sometimes
causes natural disasters as a judgment against
sin.
The book of Revelation describes many events
which could definitely be described as natural
disasters.
Is every natural disaster a punishment from
God?
Absolutely not.
In much the same way that God allows evil
people to commit evil acts, God allows the
earth to reflect the consequences sin has
had on creation.
Romans 8:19-21 tells us, “The creation waits
in eager expectation for the sons of God to
be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration,
not by its own choice, but by the will of
the one who subjected it, in hope that the
creation itself will be liberated from its
bondage to decay and brought into the glorious
freedom of the children of God.”
The fall of humanity into sin had effects
on everything, including the world we inhabit.
Everything in creation is subject to “frustration”
and “decay.”
Sin is the ultimate cause of natural disasters
just as it is the cause of death, disease,
and suffering.
We can understand why natural disasters occur.
What we do not understand is why God allows
them to occur.
Why did God allow a tsunami to kill over 225,000
people in Asia?
Why does God allow hurricanes to destroy the
homes of thousands of people?
For one thing, such events shake our confidence
in this life and force us to think about eternity.
Churches are usually filled after disasters
as people realize how tenuous their lives
really are and how life can be taken away
in an instant.
What we do know is this: God is good!
Many amazing miracles occurred during the
course of natural disasters that prevented
even greater loss of life.
Natural disasters cause millions of people
to reevaluate their priorities in life.
Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid is
sent to help the people who are suffering.
Christian ministries have the opportunity
to help, minister, counsel, pray, and lead
people to saving faith in Christ!
God can, and does, bring great good out of
terrible tragedies.
Want to learn more?
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Visit GotQuestions.org for more great content.
And check out the details section below this
video, there is one book I recommend, along
with several related articles.
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