Earthquake and Tsunami

Apocalyptic!  That is how one news anchor described the scene in Japan in the wake of an 8.9 strength earthquake and its tsunami aftermath!

The focus of this blog is the wonder of the natural world of water and what it shows us about God's grace.

The stunning video footage of the tsunami shows us convincing evidence of the devastating power of water to splinter buildings, roll boats and cars, trains and aircraft like wine-corks and wipe out whole towns.

Where we might ask is the grace of God?


The Hebrew poet Habakkuk asked the same question as he faced a tsunami of a different kind – the impending invasion of ruthless military machine known to wipe out all opposition. How could God permit such wanton carnage by godless forces to engulf God’s chosen people?

Habakkuk wrestled (his name means “Embracer”) with hard questions protesting the injustice of the world.

By way of answer God gave Habakkuk an apocalyptic vision - 'Habakkuk Ch.3', a collage of vivid and dramatic images from a dazzling sunrise to raging sea-storm, from creation and flood to historic battles, plagues and disasters.

Verse 6 tells of an earth-quake and v.10 a tsunami – torrents of water swept by; the deep roared and lifted its waves on high - and in v.11 time freezes in its tracks.

This vision did not resolve Habakkuk's questions, but it gave him a counter-force to steady his nerves in the face of a world falling apart, an assurance that God is greater and more enduring than the riddles and upheavals of life.

Jesus had a similar response when people asked him about disasters in his day. Essentially he said, 'Disaster doesn't mean that victims deserved calamity any more than your survival meaans you're innocent.  All the world is in revolt against God.  You're in more jeopardy more than you know.  Being spared is a sign of God's grace to you - a wake-up call to embrace God's way of life while you have the opportunity.' Luke 13:1-5

Habakkuk caught a glimpse of God's mercy in his apocalyptic vision.  He shaped a prayer that helps me in praying for people in Japan reeling from Nature's fury.
I have heard all about you, LORD.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.
Habakkuk 3:2

Photo Credits: Devastation: Noboru Hashimoto/Agence France-Presse -- Getty Images
and  Tsunami:Reuters