Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

 ³  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

 ⁴  “Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem?

 ⁵  “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Luke 13:1-5. 

When a nation or region suffers a hurricane, flood, drought, or other natural disaster,  it is tempting for us as observers to sit in judgment, shake our heads, and say or think:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing them.” 

When an individual suffers a traffic accident, health problem, or other personal disaster, it is tempting for us as observers to sit in judgment, shake our heads, and say or think:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing him.”  As I post this devotion, I repent as I think of the many times that I engaged in these thoughts.  

While it is true that God does sometimes (not always) judge and punish using such means, Christ turns the focus to all of us and states:   “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Moreover, we should note the emphasis of this teaching by the fact that Christ repeated it twice, both in Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5.   

When Job was suffering his health problems, his friends were too eager to sit in judgment, shake their heads, and basically say words to Job to the effect:  “Tsk!  Tsk!  God is punishing you.”  We knew God’s reaction.  God was displeased with Job’s friends.

And, what God required of Job’s friends can serve as a lesson to us who also are tempted to likewise sit in judgment to a nation, region, or individual.  “It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.  “Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you.  For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”  So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them;  and the LORD accepted Job.”  Job 42:7-9.  (Emphasis added.)

In conclusion, these Scriptures teach us at least these two proper reactions for us as observers to such disasters is to humble ourselves and repent (as taught in the above Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5), and to also pray for the people who are suffering such disasters and to make an offering for them (Job 42:7-9).