God
is Sovereign: God is seated on the throne.
When human beings think themselves too much because
of achievement of technology and indulge in sins
that dishonours the creator, he sends reminders
through disasters. “The One enthroned in
heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.”
(Psalms 2:4)
End times:
These are end times when His Word is fulfilled.
The signs of His imminent coming is being fulfilled.
This is just the beginning of sorrows. The worse
is yet to come. But, for Christians the “day
of redemption” is nearer.
Mandate to the Church:
The Church has to gird up the loins and
offer all possible help. Gone are the days when
only the Christian relief agencies extended help.
Now there are voluntary organizations with all
religious banners and governmental agencies rushing
to offer help. But there are always pockets ignored
by the media savvy agencies that needs help. Church
marches to areas where no body likes to go.
At the same time the Church
has the mandate to call people to God. The message
is: “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and
you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can
flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take
refuge in him.” (Psalms 2:12)
Dance of death: The
earthquake which had its epicenter 257 km south-southeast
of Banda Aceh, Sumatra measured 9.0 on the Richter
Scale making it the most powerful in the world
in the last 40 years.
God’s Judgment? This event
is one of the powerful warning and a partial judgement
on humanity. The countries affected symbolizes
God’s wrath being poured on these nations.
Indonesia was in the forefront ruthlessly destroying
churches, Christians and their properties for
the past 4-5 years. Sri Lanka is a Buddhist nation
where the fundamental religious leaders wanted
legal ban on conversions and started persecuting
the Church. Tamil Nadu witnessed the shrines of
Catholic Church being worst affected. “Those
who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace
that could be theirs.”(Jonah 2:8) Also Tamil
Nadu was the area of operation of fundamentalist
elements that worked relentlessly against the
Church. Tamil Nadu contribution for Indian missions
is significant in terms of resources, manpower
and leadership. Thailand symbolizes the world
of lust, luxury and loose morals.
Let Us Pray:
-
Local
Church:
Local Churches in the affected areas may move
out to offer practical help of providing needs,
comforting and planning for future.
-
Global
Church:
Global Church may provide all assistance possible
to the local churches so that they may provide
relief and ministry of reconciliation and
comfort.
-
Long
term Plans: The
local churches may think of long term action
plan like providing for orphans, widows, destitute;
training for those who may need job; micro-enterprises;
self help groups; housing.
-
People
affected: People affected may be
comforted. Christian counselors may help them
to cope up with their sorrow. Means of income
should be generated. Housing and basic needs
like cooking utensils, beddings may be provided.
Their hearts may be prepared to respond to
the gospel positively.
-
Widows
and orphans: Widows and orphans may
be protected from exploitation, child abuse
and trafficking and flesh trade.
-
Local
Governments:
Local governments may perform the relief work
without partiality, without delay and effectively.
Local politics may not hinder the work.
-
Infrastructure:
Infrastructure
like roads, communication links, electricity
and other needs may be restored immediately.
-
Fundamentalists:
Fundamentalists try to highjack the relief
materials in some places. Government may effectively
curb these elements.
-
Religious
leaders: Religious
leaders have already spread rumours that it
was wrath of local gods and goddesses and
hence more appeasement is needed.
-
People
in respective nations: People
may think and reflect of the events and return
to the living God.
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