Steven A. Bush - September 8, 2019
When Calamity Strikes
When Jerusalem and God's temple were reduced to rubble by the Babylonians, Jeremiah wrote this in Lamentations 2:37-42: "Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? Does not the Most High send both calamity and good? Then why should we, mere humans, complain when we are punished for our sins? Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back to the LORD." (NLT) Jesus was asked about a couple calamities in His day by observers who reasoned that the victims got what they deserved. Jesus warned them otherwise: "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3,5) Jesus implies that calamities should make us all take personal inventory of our hearts regarding where we stand with God. Calamities ultimately point to the greatest of all calamities yet to come. Calamities should serve as wake-up calls for the perishing as well as clarion calls for the redeemed. They should humble us to turn. They should humble us to pray. They should humble us to act. They should prompt us to carry the Message of Jesus to others so they might find hope and eternal security in our Lord's loving arms.