The Nepal earthquakes have gotten the world’s attention, caused many to pray more than they ever have, and once again forced humanity to come to terms with their frailty and God’s sovereignty.
Like ants running from an anthill that a hapless boy might have kicked over, the people of Nepal were forced to flee from their homes in a frenetic dash to safety as a 7.3 aftershock rocked their world – just two weeks after the initial earthquake which cost some 8,000 people to lose their lives.
The following excerpt from a New York Times article explains:
NEW DELHI — The vegetable markets, streetside dumpling stands and other signs of ordinary life slowly returning to Nepal were violently interrupted Tuesday when another powerful earthquake shook the eastern part of the country less than three weeks after a deadly earthquake left most of it flattened.
Loose hillsides and cracked buildings gave way and collapsed when a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck shortly after noon about 50 miles east of Kathmandu, the capital, near the China border.
Residents and office workers ran screaming into the streets, and people described plumes of mud and clouds of dust rising up as cracked structures fell. Prakash Banjara, an engineering student, was on an aid mission, delivering rice to villages in Sindhupalchok District, when “the earth started shaking so violently.”
“The mountains before my eyes started tumbling down in massive landslides,” Mr. Banjara said by telephone. He begged for help for his small group of volunteers, stranded by landslides on an isolated road, unable to contact the police. Read Full Article Here
Mr. Banjara’s comment makes me think of the scripture that says that the mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord. ( Micah 1:3-4, Psalm 97:5)
My heart breaks for the people of Nepal. I cannot imagine the kind of suffering that they are enduring. The fear. The devastation. The uncertainty of where they will sleep and find shelter.
I have a friend who has family in Nepal, and I have watched her grieve and worry as news of her loved one’s well being trickled in. It is a terrible, terrible tragedy that has unfolded almost instantly before our eyes on the world stage. And itcauses me, and perhaps the world, to bow and recognize the immense power and sovereignty of Jehovah God.
Scriptures In Light of Nepal
Several scriptures come to mind when considering the Nepal earthquake. The Holy Bible tells us that God will protect and provide for His own, so it is important that we don’t fear, but rather pray and meditate on God’s promises of protection and provision. Here are some scriptures to get you started:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25-33)
It is also important tounderstand that natural disasters like the one in Nepaloften cause people to recognize that they do not control their own destinies, and that everything ultimately is in the hands of a great, mighty, and powerful Lord.
God’s Absolute Sovereignty
Even though the Holy Bible says that Job did not sin with his lips, God still let Job know that He alone was in control:
“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?” (Job 38:1-8)
“Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.” (Job 40: 6-9)
“Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?” (Job 41:2-3)
Prayers for Nepal
Precious Lord Jesus, would you comfort the people of Nepal. If they don’t know You, would you make your presence and your truth known to them? Please send your peace and comfort to them. Please provide for them in supernatural ways just like you did when the Children of Israel were in the wilderness. God it would be so easy for you to let quail or manna from heaven fall in Nepal. The world is watching Lord, show them your greatness! Show them your mighty acts! Provide for the people of Nepal in a way that You, and you alone get the glory. In Jesus name, Amen!