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Haiti - God's Judgement?

We watched a Larry King special and a reporter commented that some religious leaders in Haiti believe the earthquake was God's judgement against their country. A few moments earlier they had showed a segment where a three year old girl had been badly injured in the quake and had lost half of her face.

When the reporter commented that religious preachers were saying it was God's judgment, Larry King said something to this effect, "Yea, I'll bet that three year old girl had so many sins that she incurred God's judgment." Then he shook his head as if to say the preachers were crazy.

We agree with Larry. The Bible says the whole of creation is subject to futility and that wars and disasters just happen. While a tragedy like this has no easy answers, Christians have to reconcile some things in the light of eternity. Our mortal lives are a blip compared to infinity whether we live to be one or one hundred. We are all going to pass away one way or another and God is not a murderer. Jesus explained that it is the enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. He said that He did not come to judge. Jesus took the judgment for the sins of all mankind for all time upon Himself.

We also don't agree with the well known TV preacher who said the disaster was because Haiti made a pact with the devil. What country does not have people who have done this? These sorts of comments in times of human suffering are nothing but cruel and lacking in discretion and wisdom. They only serve to reveal how ignorant the speaker is concerning the Cross, the atonement, and the very character of God Himself.

In Jesus' time the religious leaders were preaching a message of condescension and judgment and Jesus told them they were standing in the door, neither allowing anyone through it nor entering in themselves. When public religious leaders promote these ideas, they turn people away from God in droves.

It is the goodness of God which draws people to turn around towards Him. There is no country which is sinless enough to earn God's favor. There is no individual who through diligent practice of religion can earn a friendship with God. It is a gift to anyone who grasps and accepts it.

Don Francisco is known best for his powerful story songs like "He's Alive" and songs of encouragement, like "I'll Never Let Go of Your Hand". For over 30 years, more than 20 albums, and two GMA Dove Awards, Don's ability to paint a picture and deliver a message through song has been the foundation of his worldwide ministry.

Don's songs first hit the top of the charts in the 70's and early 80's, and millions around the world have felt their continual impact in concerts, and on radio and CDs up to the present day. His newest CD The Sower contains all new songs and is a combination of his trademark "story" songs from the life of Jesus as well as musical settings of parables of Jesus.

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