KATRINA 11

Today is the anniversary of the tragic 9-11 Islamic kamikaze assault on this nation whereby thousands were killed in an urban inferno; catapulting New York into the world’s spotlight. A few weeks ago Katrina’s deadly turbine winds shattered Louisiana, Mississippi and parts of Alabama as hundreds lost their lives and thousands were completely displaced amidst her fury.

During these grieving times the world will ask Christian leaders to make sense out of the aftermath asking questions that everyone wants answered: Why did this happen? What does it mean? What are we to think about this? And where was God?

As a result of teaching a singularity in theological attributes that only focuses on the love of God, the church, for the most part, is left with vague and mysterious proclamations about the ‘unknown will of God’ replying to these questions with the ‘He has a purpose in all of this’ and other such simplistic and incomplete commentaries. The problem with these cliché responses is that they are not fully orbed; they do not take into account what the Scriptures have said. They leave out important truths, namely that God is not only a loving Father, but He is also a consuming fire (Deut. 4:24) who is angry at the wicked and who will judge every man according to His deeds.

God is a just judge and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7:11

So who are the wicked? The wicked are all of those who sin; those who transgress the Law of God. Here is a partial list of wicked activities: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart the devises ungodly plans, gossiping, backbiting, jealousy, envy, losing your temper, conceit, fornication, lewdness, idolatry and causing strife. (Proverbs 6:16-19; 2Corinthians 12:20-21) It should then be no surprise for us to read Paul’s comments in the book of Romans as he references Psalm 14 where we read:

"As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes." Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." Romans 3:10-19

So if all men are guilty before God because of their anti-god behavior then upon what basis does one stand against the One who made them? How does the created man who is in rebellion against the Creator look to Him in anger when He has exercised right judgment against those who have violated His perfect Law? Has the criminal now become the judge of his violation?

While the wrath of God in the end of all things awaits, we see His sending and allowance of destruction against mankind as Amos wrote, “If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not the LORD done it?” Amos 3:6

When we see these tragic events in our history we should see a small picture of what God will reveal fully in the end; however, this revelation of wrath does not come alone. There is also the incredible revelation of Jesus Christ. We can never be ‘good enough’ on our own. Hear the apostle’s words about salvation:

"Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." Romans 4:4-8

We will each see our end either soon or later. Where will you stand before the Lord God Almighty at His judgment throne? I know where I stood, guilty. Yet, Christ lived the perfect life as the Son of God and was crucified at Calvary for the sins of the world as Jesus bore the punishment in his flesh for those who would believe. He rose from the dead proving to the world that He was the messiah who alone can save man from His eternal condemnation. If today you hear His voice calling you to repentance from your sin, flee to the One whose grace and mercy is infinite! Believe on the name of the Lord.