Act of God- a manifestation especially of a violent or destructive natural force, such as lightening strike, hurricane, or earthquake, that is beyond human power to cause, prevent, or control. It most often appears in legal contracts, where it is used to indemnify one party against a disaster that prevents it from carrying out the contract's terms.
The tradition of naming these storms goes back quite some time. Even the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked during one of these awful storms.
Acts 27:14- But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
The word "hurricane" is derived from the name of a false god of the Mayans, Jun Raqan, or Huracan, which means, "one legged". They believed that this god had power over weather. The majority of meteorologists would probably have you believe that these ancient people were ignorant, superstitious, unenlightened pagans who viewed everything through the lens of their religion and its teachings, and that today we know so much better because of advancements in science and technology, and besides, the Mayans didn't have The Weather Channel in their cable package.
How shocking a revelation it must be that the Mayans were at least closer to the truth than your local disciples of "man made climate change" and "Mother Nature" who celebrate Earth Day by "going dark". The ancient Mayans were indeed more primitive, but without a doubt, they were less hypocritical than their modern counterparts.
In the Holy Bible, Satan is referred to in Ephesians 2:2 as "the prince of the power of the air".
In the coming future Tribulation, the devil attempts to destroy Israel by means of a disastrous flood that he casts.
Revelation 12:15- And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Although these horrific storms are connected with powers of Satanic forces, we must realize that these forces are created by beings and cannot do anything without instruction, or permission, from God Almighty. According to Scripture, God tells Satan in Job 1:12- Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.
What happens next would fall under the category of "acts of God" in your insurance policy handbook.
Job 1:16a- The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them;
Job 1:19a- Behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead;
Although Satan was the one who was behind the destruction, Job rightfully gave credit where it was due when he said in Job 1:21, "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."
That these storms are ultimately acts of God is indisputable when you consider the following Scriptures:
Jeremiah 10:13- When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Job 21:17-18- How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
Job 27:21-22- The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
Nahum 1:3- The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Psalm 148:8- Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
Here is where many people get shipwrecked concerning their faith. God's reasons are as vast and unlimited as He is. Yes, judgment may be a part of God's plan in these situations, but it is not the full scope. When God allowed those terrible things to happen to Job, it was for God's glory and for Job's benefit. No one who has read and believed the book of Job would doubt that God proved Himself just, merciful, and good. If God wants to take your life, He can simply speak the word. These storms are to teach men about God's power and man's inabilities. They are also meant to bless us and to try us. They are also meant to see how we will respond to the needs of our neighbors. To see these events as only God's judgment against Bourbon Street immorality is just about as narrow-minded as seeing them only as opportunities to blame opposing political parties or only as proofs on unscientific extremist views on man made climate change.
Perhaps you have suffered greatly from these storms. As a native of Louisiana, I have also been through my share of hurricanes through the years, and it is not my desire to make light of anyone's troubles, but rather to glorify God and find a silver lining in the clouds.
Matthew 5:45- for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the god, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Can we learn from the lessons of history? Is there a greater threat on the horizon? Is this the lull before the storm? Is there a storm coming that no one can run from?
In the mid-1800's, Last Island was a very luxurious an popular vacation resort, located a few miles off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of America. It was blessed with pearly white beach 25 miles long.
In August of 1856, over 400 vacationing guests filled the hotel ballroom, dancing as the orchestra played. They were dancing on Last Island the night the hurricane came. This storm had given plenty warning of its approach. The vacationers could have escaped it entirely, if only they had heeded its advance signals. For instance, one day in early August, those on the beach noticed an odd thing. Far out on the horizon, the sea appeared to hump itself in a bulge. The raised mound of water darkened and lengthened, then surged forward toward the beach, only to reach the shore in a wave less than 2 feet high. Another wave came, then another, and another- four altogether, then no more. But then a few minutes later, the strange heaving waves began anew- seven this time, and then again, a lull. Fooled by the calm almost absent wind and the cloudless sky, they figured maybe it was a far away storm.
They were right. A tremendous hurricane, born in the Caribbean a week earlier, had moved past Cuba into the Gulf, and had now ceased its forward progress, 400 miles south of Last Island.
All night long the sea grew more and more perturbed. Next morning, the waves were continuous as clouds began to obscure the sun.
By August 9th, the wind was a steady gale. The waves were immense. The few who survived remembered the eerie sunset that evening- the sky was a poison green, the sun the color of blood. The wind grew weird. It ceased being a breath; it became a voice moaning across the land uttering nightmare sounds. Howling and shrieking, the wind beat about Last Island all night.
They kept dancing. They didn't notice when the water began to rise. It was too late when they heard, out of the Gulf, roaring louder than the wind itself, a noise more felt than heard. The hotel shook. The ground trembled under the impact of a moving mountain of water- the hurricane surge!
Almost everything that stood, grew, or lived on Last Island was wiped out instantly. Sadly many had ignored the warning signs and kept dancing. A terrible tragedy.
We have seen the horrible results of not heeding warnings to evacuate to safety and shelter during Hurricane Katrina (2005). But it is also an error repeated countless times today.
The Bible has warned us of the coming judgment of God after we die, but many continue on as if nothing will ever change, ignoring the place of refuge and safety provided by God in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 7:24-27- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Don't be foolish. Hell is real. The storm of God's wrath will surely come. The Lord Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead. call on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation! He can calm the troubled sea of your life, give you eternal life, and a mansion in heaven.
Psalms 107-28-31- Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Mark 4:41- And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
He is God manifest in the flesh and He can save you. Would you like to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior right now?
-Adam Trosclair
