Encouragement Page
16 January 2005

The "religious" questions we hear after the dreadful tidal wave is "Where was God when it happened? Why did He allow so many people to perish?" While some would make fun coming with ridiculous statements and assumptions, we had better look for the answers in the Bible. All of them are there recorded for us. Some world leaders said it was the greatest disaster to mankind, calling for hope and prayer that this would never happen again. We wish this is true but it is not. The Bible records the global flood during Noah’s time as the greatest calamity that happened and the destruction of the whole planet earth as described in Revelation is yet to take place! The recent "Boxing Day Tidal Wave" was not the greatest calamity and neither will it be the most destructive! Before this, nobody seems to know the Japanese word "tsunami". The Japanese warned again and again about the potential danger through their experiences and to take precautionary measures to minimize loss of lives. Why did we choose to ignore to heed the advice of at least a "siren warning"? Simply because it has never happened in our life time before. We have taken for granted that this would not happen. That’s why. We acknowledge the recent tragedy was one of mass gravity and sympathize with those who lost their entire families and belongings. Lest there be misunderstandings, the writer does not belittle the loss of lives and the terrible sufferings and trauma of those who survived. It is a great tragedy indeed.

If God is on the driver’s seat and He knows all these would happen and yet allowed it, why did He not warn us? He did! He went beyond to tell us that after this short life there is eternity. He tells us that life is short and that we are but pilgrims on this earth, and that we would die within sixty to eighty years which we call a "lifetime". He did not just tell but had the warnings and teachings recorded permanently. Despite countless attempts to destroy His word, God has been merciful to preserve the scripture for us. He warns of greater judgment and He provided us a choice before we face it. The choice is damnation or eternal life through salvation. Unfortunately, many choose to ignore it. Why? It has not happened yet? How do we know? It would be too late if we experience it. We come to Him in faith which cannot be seen. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb 11:1).

Consistently throughout the Bible we are told about the need to draw near to God, listen to His word and to obey. God knows we are forgetful. He reminds us not to forget. Are these not double or rather multiple emphases to us frail humans? Here are a few verses on this reminder. "Then beware lest thou forget the LORD,…" (Deut 6:12). "Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God…" (Deut 4:23). "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons" (Deut 4:9). "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day" (Deut 8:11). We have seen, we have heard, we have read. Let’s not forget God and His Commandments.

We can do whatever to help in physical rebuilding of lives. Ultimately, this earthly life will end, tidal wave or not. If we know the teaching of God then it is our duty to teach and to tell others about the danger of greater judgment. What do we tell? What is important? It saddens us to see such destruction but it saddens God much more to see souls in eternal damnation. What would your feelings be if you had a bird’s eye view of the waves coming and yet you see people walking in ignorance towards the water front to sure disaster awaiting them. God is not willing that any should perish (2 Pet 3:9). There is no other option. Sin has to be dealt with. Only Jesus can get us out of this mess and assure us of eternal life. Only Jesus saves! He is faithful and He will never forsake nor forget us. "For the LORD thy God is a merciful God; he will not forsake thee…" (Deut 4:31). "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb 13:5).

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