As we enter the New Year of 2005, what is foremost on our minds have been the last few days of 2004 with the devastating impact of the Tsunami wave that hit South East Asia. Over 150,000 people have died, millions are homeless, many needing medical assistance, food and other aid and it is one of those occasions that brings a perspective of what is truly important in life.

And this disaster leaves us asking the question as to why this tragedy was allowed to happen. There may be some who will now reject the Christian faith and others who will turn their back on God altogether because of what has happened. Maybe we even feel like saying, ‘Why believe in God who loves and cares for each person on this earth? Why bother to pray for our world when there seems to be tragedies of all kinds happening on an all too regular basis? If God is all He is cracked up to be why would He let these things happen?’

From a Christian point of view, it is a difficult one. As your officer, your minister, I wish I could give you an answer as to why God allowed this to happen? It’s a question I would like to ask of God myself but there doesn’t seem to be a direct answer forthcoming. So why keep our faith in God?

Whilst I can’t give you an answer as to why tragedies are allowed to happen I do know that if we choose to give up on God, especially at times like these, then we really are left with nothing to hold on to. For as Christians, it is our faith that can keep us going. It is our faith that reminds us when we read the book of Revelation 21:4 in the Bible that one day God, “will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” God’s Word reminds that one day in the future there will be no more times of tragedy, impossible to understand suffering and pain for, “the old order of things will pass away,” and God will make “everything new.”

Why did this happen? We don’t know? Why did God not stop it? We don’t know. One thing that I do know is God is right there in the midst of this terrible tragedy. In a year in which there had been so much division, hatred and bitterness amongst nations, people and countries have been brought together, because it shows us what really matters in life. Whatever our background, we are all human beings and the result has been a tremendous outpouring of love and compassion for our fellow man. God is there in peoples’ hearts being prompted to make financial pledges and the different governments pledging money and sending relief teams. God is right there in all the aid organizations offering support. God is there in everyone who is seeking to try and help those in need.

At times like these, words may seem of little comfort as action is needed too so what can we do? You can give a donation to the Relief Funds – either to the Salvation Army’s appeal or another charity. You can pray for the people in those countries, not just today or tomorrow but for the next weeks, months and years.

However we respond, we are in a figurative sense putting our arms around those in need and showing that in this tragedy God does love and care for each one of us and that good can come out of this awful situation. We may not have the answer as to why this tragedy has happened but as Christians we can hold on to the hope found in God’s Word that now is not always and that one ‘day there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth, there will be no more tears, no more death, mourning or crying or pain. That God will make everything new.’ And as God Himself said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:4-6).

Keep your faith in God and I pray that God will bless you and sustain you in His power, strength and grace.

Paul Wood
Captain
(Log is adapted from sermon given by Captain on 2nd January)