It seems natural disasters are constantly in the news around the world. Is there a reason such disasters seem to be increasing in frequency and intensity?
Today in the United States, one catastrophe seems to follow another with no reprieve between them. Is it mere coincidence or could there be something God wants us to learn? Many other parts of the world have been experiencing similar weather-related disasters.
Drought, fires and hurricanes
Parts of America are experiencing the worst drought in two generations. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), nearly 63 percent of the contiguous United States is affected by moderate to exceptional drought.
The NOAA also states that wildfires destroyed a record-breaking 7.72 million acres from January through August of this year. And nearly one half of those acres destroyed occurred in August alone! And fires continue.
The hurricane season also continues, and already one hurricane alone—Isaac—has caused nearly $2 billion in damage.
Overlooked warnings about the weather
There’s an old saying that everyone talks about the weather, but no one does anything about it. Is there something we can do?
Consider what God told Israel centuries ago: “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes … that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: … Your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. The LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust” (Deuteronomy 28:15, 23-24).
He also said, “I also withheld rain from you. … I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. … Yet you have not returned to Me” (Amos 4:7-8).
The fire-ravaged Western states would love to have had the recent rains that flooded the southeastern states. But they didn’t have them.
God will bless those people who try their utmost to follow His ways. At the same time, He will correct nations that have held the Bible in high esteem yet ignored its message. Such correction is especially directed to the English-speaking nations at this point in history.
We should remember what happened to Pharaoh
In Amos 4:10 God says, “I sent among you a plague after the manner of Egypt … yet you have not returned to Me.”
God sent 10 plagues on Egypt. Some of these plagues destroyed Egypt’s crops and livestock. The natural disasters that are plaguing us today are destroying our crops and livestock.
In the U.S. the Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that 67 percent of cattle production and 70 to 75 percent of corn and soybean production have been affected by the current drought. The USDA also says that 60 percent of the farms are located in areas experiencing severe drought.
Incredibly, it was in Pharaoh’s power to stop the plagues. All he had to do was humble himself before God.
Modern nations could look to God to prevent or stop the bombardment of natural disasters if we would humble ourselves before Him.
It is interesting to note that once a plague was upon Egypt, Pharaoh would momentarily “repent” so the plague would end. But not long after the plague was over, Pharaoh would go back to his usual ways of rejecting God’s warning. Many people do the same today. Once disaster is upon us, we seek God. But once the calamity is over, we don’t need God anymore.
How many U.S. churches were filled shortly after 9/11? How many empty seats are in the churches today?
Our nations must choose
When Pharaoh proudly stood defiant, God asked him, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?” (Exodus 10:3).
The heritage of the English-speaking world can be traced back to ancient Israel, whom God delivered from Egypt. And the blessings these nations have enjoyed are from God. He gave them, and He can remove them.
Are the calamities we are experiencing a sign that God is removing His blessings and protection because of our increasing rejection of biblical values? How long will we refuse to humble ourselves before God and make some serious changes?
Deuteronomy 28 spells out specific curses that God will bring upon the modern descendants of Israel when they reject His clear instructions. Careful reading of these scriptures shows that these curses will ultimately bring total destruction—just like occurred in Egypt.
And just like He did with Pharaoh, God will grab our attention. The question is, will we stand defiant like Pharaoh and be destroyed? Or will we kneel, repent and be saved?
Pharaoh had to choose. Our nations must choose. And you and I must choose as individuals.
Even if our people continue to reject right values, you and I can still receive God’s blessing and protection if we choose to follow what is written in His Word—the Bible.
Just as the ancient Israelites were protected from the later plagues on Egypt (Exodus 8:22-23), God promises His people protection from many of the curses that will come not only on the modern descendants of Israel but on the whole world for their rejection of the way of righteousness.
So, as God continues to get our attention, how will we respond? Protection or destruction will be the result of our choice.
For more about God’s punishment and end-time prophecies, see our section on the “End Times.”
Date Posted: September 24, 2012
About the Author
Tim Groves
Tim Groves attends the Jefferson, Georgia, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, where he serves as a deacon.
He has been married to his wife, Teresa, for over 30 years. Together, they have two daughters and two sons and live in South Carolina. They moved there from Ohio in 1997 to flee the cold northern winters and allow him to do the things he really enjoys, like roaming though automobile junkyards looking for hidden treasures from times long past.
by Tim Groves
