Japan

The events of the last few days in Japan are indeed overwhelming. What do we do? What can one person do? These are the questions we all struggle with.

Why did this happen to the people of Japan?
There are currently some of the most heartless and inhuman people I have ever heard of crediting the earthquake to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Absolutely foolish and cruel! Events of this kind happen to the good and the bad, the just and the unjust. Who you are and what you do often have little significance. Someone will bring up Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of the judgment of God upon nations He is not pleased with. Be careful; someone once said that if God doesn’t judge America, He owes Sodom and Gomorrah and apology.

Why did God allow this to happen?
We are the cause of these events. When we participated in Adam’s rebellion against God in the Garden we set forth the course of action that sin against God ultimately brings. Some will say, “I wasn’t there. Why am I guilty?”All have sinned against God. Just read your Bible to see if it isn’t so.

Consider the words of Jesus, Luke 13:1-5 (KJV):
“There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Really, the question isn’t why this happened to the people of Japan? The question is, according to Jesus, your condition before God? Instead of questioning this event, we should consider our own hearts. Have we repented, as Jesus said? If something of this sort happens to us, what will be our outcome?

I had the privilege of visiting Japan on a business trip in 2009. The people I met with and visited with were, beyond a doubt, the most polite and pleasant people it has ever been my pleasure to meet (and I have been all over the world).

What do we do?
We can and should pray. We can support Churches and Organizations that are mobilizing to help the people of Japan. What can one person do? One person can make a dramatic difference in the lives of others, if we will seek to help.