Is Katrina God's Judgment?

Here we go again. On the heels of the Asian tsunami comes Hurricane Katrina. And here come all the false prophets, declaring that this natural disaster is God’s judgment for our sin. See Get Religion for some examples. Usually the cause for the outpouring of God’s wrath is the speaker’s pet vice. If he’s on the right, it’s homosexuality or the moral decay of our culture. If he’s on the left, it’s the war in Iraq or our abuse of the environment.

But don’t be led astray by these people, my little children. They aren’t talking about the God of the Bible, but some cruel idol of their own making.

Make no mistake, I believe in God’s wrath and judgment toward sinners. And I also believe in God’s measureless patience and forbearance toward us.

The God of the Bible is never slyly vindictive. He never judges people — Jews or pagans — without warning them and giving them time to repent. He sent Jonah to Nineveh for that purpose. Prophet after prophet warned the kings of Israel and Judah that they would be conquered if they didn’t repent of their idolatry. Sometimes they did and were spared (2 Chronicles 12:1-8) but ultimately they disobeyed, the kingdom was divided, and both nations taken into exile. Prophet after prophet, Isaiah, Jeremiah and the rest, warned of this repeatedly.

Before the tsunami, before Katrina, did you see prophets warning the people of Asia and the Gulf Coast to repent or be destroyed? No, these false prophets come out after the disaster and start playing the blame game.

Yes, someday Christ will come to judge the living and the dead. And all things will be restored and redeemed in His name.

But as for these things, they are like the tower of Siloam (Luke 13:1-5) — they occurred so that the glory of God might be displayed. All these things are just the beginnings of birth pangs (Matt. 24:4-8). It’s like the song says:

“One day every tongue will confess you are God.
One day every knee will bow.
Still the greatest treasure remains for those
Who gladly choose You now.”

Comments

[Andrew Careaga]

All I have to say about that is, "Amen."

AC

[Dominik Reinmund]

There were clear and specific prophesies and warnings of the impending judgment, whether we like it or not.

Chuck Pierce's "Words Over Louisiana":
http://www.etpv.org/2004/wolo.html

My take on it:
http://www.reinmund.net/journey/?p=32

[WesleyWes]

Its just the natural order.

[TLA]

I believe Katrina is God's judgment,not for any sins of New Orleans,but for the national sin of Bush's policy forcing Israel to give up their land.The bible very clearly states that "cursed are those who curse Israel."The timing and conditions of Katrina totally coincide with the Gaza pullout.Our policy forced the residents of Gaza to evacuate and now people are having to evacuate beause of these storms.It may never get better if all this Bush idolatry continues.I believe it is no coincident that Hurricane Rita is even stronger than Katrina and is heading for Bush's home state.