It’s easy to see that many disasters are man-made.  God, in His infinite wisdom, lets people have free choice.  He doesn’t want us to be mindless robots.

In fact, when we choose to follow Him, by trusting Christ as our Savior and inviting Him into our hearts, we are freed. We are set free from the penalty of sin, because Jesus Christ, God in flesh, was punished for us, the just for the unjust. We are set free from the burden of sin, because we can just go to Him and receive His forgiveness, and He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And, one day, we will be set free from the presence of sin. In Heaven, there will be no suffering! What a joyous day that awaits us!

But, here, there is suffering. And, while many evil things can be blamed on people rebelling against God – even famines can at times be blamed on peoples’ mismanagement – earthquakes can’t. So, how do we explain such things?

In the beginning, the world was perfect. There was no suffering. Then, by one man, sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so that death passed unto all men, for that all have sinned. (Rom. 5:12)

What that means is, death entered the world. For the first time, things could decay and wear out. Decay means things crumble; they break down. This is one of the consequences of sin being in the world. It’s a natural consequence, just as much as staying up all night makes you tired the next day.

This breaking down of the world wasn’t limited to mankind, though. Animals were originally made to only eat plants and herbs, but yet they started to eat each other instead. That breakdown of nature was part of that cause and effect relationship.

One might say nature itself was having a breakdown. Plate tectonics were jolted to such an extent when sin entered the world, and the weather became such, that we are blessed by God *not* to have the disasters we could. God, in His infinite wisdom, protects us from a huge multitude of disasters. But, He can’t totally eliminate the cause and effect relationship that is caused by sin. If there were no cause and effect, the world would be much worse, because knowing what will logically result from what actions is necessary for normal functioning. Breaking down of things logically comes from sin.

God promises to redeem nature, and make things perfect again. Look at Romans 8:21-3: 8:21 – Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
8:22 – For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Ro 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.

What these verses are saying is this:

1. There is bondage right now; but there is liberty with God. That bondage is present over all the earth. It is a bondage of courrption; this world is enslaved by that old foe called death, which causes things to decay.

2. That decay has been present since the beginning, not only in people, but in nature itself. All of Creation is said to be “groaning.” This is a poetic way of saying that the decay which causes suffering and pain spread through the entire world when man fell from Grace. The burden of sin spread through the entire earth.

3. We humans face the same problem as the world. We don’t have earthquakes, but we have disease and sickness. One person’s sickness can cause pain to that person’s family and friends. In the same way, some natural disasters cause pain to millions.

4. However, we will be redeemed. Jesus Christ has redeemed us, so we can go to heaven. And, He will one day perform an extreme makeover, if you will, on this world, so there will be no more disasters.

Until then, disasters will be a part of life. However, we have a loving God who will help us through all of the disasters that come upon us. He is an ever-present God who is with each and every one of those victims, if only they will call on Him for help.

Jesus didn’t promise a perfect life. In fact, He says, “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31) he was speaking of overcoming sin and mistreatment by those who persecute, but this verse can be applied to the problem of disasters, too. Because, He can, and will, guide us through the storms of life. We just need to seek His help in this world which constantly groans because of the sin that was brought about when sin was brought into the world.

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