Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend region just after 11:00 pm on September 26. Forty-eight hours later, it had ripped northward through several states and dozens of cities. Helene’s violent winds and overwhelming rains have left some areas unrecognizable.
As of late afternoon on October 1, the death toll had reached nearly 200, while hundreds more remained missing. Over a million people are still without power, and hundreds of thousands lack clean water. In a press briefing, Ryan Cole, the assistant director of Buncombe County Emergency Services in western North Carolina, said, “We have biblical devastation through the county. We’ve had biblical flooding here.”
In addition to the United States, Nepal, Japan, and Tunisia have recently faced disastrous and deadly flooding, among others. Not to mention the hundreds of other natural disasters that occur yearly.
Increased Natural Disasters
Jesus compared the increase in frequency and intensity of Earth’s natural disasters to the experience of a woman in labor (Matthew 24:7, 8). As the moment of birth approaches, contractions come with greater rapidity and vigor. As we near the end of the world and our Savior’s return, what we see happening in the natural world is the fulfillment of this prophecy.
According to USA Today, the number of U.S. natural disasters causing more than $1 billion in damage yearly has more than doubled from eight to 18 in the past five years. The same article says, “Scientists who study the Earth's climate and weather say storms like Helene are more likely to occur in the future,” and then quotes one Florida innkeeper’s thought on recent years’ natural disasters, “These don’t feel natural anymore.”
The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reports, “The number of disasters has increased by a factor of five over the 50-year period, driven by climate change, more extreme weather, and improved reporting.”
But is climate change the “Biggest Threat Modern Humans Have Ever Faced,” as the United Nations would have us believe?
Our Biggest Threat
According to the Bible, the first change in Earth’s environment resulted from sin—the “transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4), that is, disobedience to God’s revealed will. The first sin resulted in the ground being cursed, bringing forth thorns and thistles, and increased toil in cultivating food (Genesis 3:17–19).
Sin also led to the first “natural disaster” recorded in Scripture—the worldwide flood. When “the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5), He reluctantly flooded the earth.
Does this mean that God causes all natural disasters? No, it does not. In the book of Job, we learn that Satan can cause what we call natural disasters when God permits him to do so (Job 1:16, 19).
Whether “natural disasters” are occurring due to “climate change,” a judgment of God, or an attack of the enemy, Scripture reveals that the root cause of them all is sin. The “whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs” (Romans 8:22) under sin’s curse, longing to “be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (v. 21).
Sin is our biggest threat, wreaking havoc in our personal lives and the natural world alike. It’s what Jesus came to save us from (Matthew 1:21).
Shelter from the Storm
Mark 4:35–41 tells of a time when Jesus was crossing the Sea of Galilee with His disciples. Jesus was asleep in the boat when a terrible storm began raging. Afraid the boat was going to sink, the disciples woke Jesus. After calming the sea, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. They should have known that as long as they were in the boat with Jesus, it could not sink. Are you in the boat with Jesus?
All who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior are released from sin’s bondage (Romans 6:7). In Christ, we have a place of refuge and strength, a stronghold against the enemy (Nahum 1:7). From this position of safety, we have the privilege of ministering to others and inviting them to find shelter “under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
Providing Refuge
Natural disaster survivors are often found in fragile conditions, having sustained injuries, lost possessions and homes and even loved ones. Not only do they need temporal provisions, but they also need spiritual encouragement.
Most of us can’t be physically present to help in disaster zones. However, for those who are financially able, we can support gospel-oriented disaster relief organizations, such as ADRA, that minister to both the temporal and spiritual needs of survivors.
Furthermore, one thing we can all do is pray. So, let’s send up a mighty wave of prayer to our heavenly Father on behalf of rescue workers and survivors of Hurricane Helene. May they find strength and healing in their time of need.
Read Pastor Doug’s article Finding the Missing Peace.