Calamity

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
Throughout the past year notable calamities have befallen various parts of the earth. Explosions and earthquakes have suddenly cast the gloom of death over many communities. They became the foremost topics of conversation, and newspapers recorded them in graphic detail.
As in the case of the earthquake at Managua, Nicaragua, scientists have endeavored to explain the natural cause. Looking at the demolition of such a city, one would hardly expect to hear, from the midst of the havoc of fire, water, and rubble, a voice of love speaking to the whole world. Yet the God-opened ear can catch the undertone of His voice. He speaks, yet man perceives it not. But how, one may ask, can such catastrophes speak with accents of love?
Let us take an illustration from life.
A celebrated painter had been engaged to do a tremendous work of art. It reached to some height from the ground. Giving the finishing touches to it, he stepped back on the scaffold to view his work. A workman near, apprehending his danger, seized a paintbrush, and daubed the beautiful picture. The artist indignantly stepped forward to stop the spoiling of his artistry; but his wrath was immediately changed to thankfulness when he was shown how near death his step backward had brought him. If he had fallen from the scaffolding he would most surely have been killed.
It is not hard to trace the cause of the damage done to the picture, however beautiful or valuable it may have been. Because of the workman's desire for the artist's salvation from death, he had ruthlessly spoiled his work.
And may not God, in order to speak to man, allow the destroyer to ruin man's work? He may even permit calamities in order to bring men to consider Him, and their eternal destiny.
"When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only." Job 34:29.
The ruins of Jerusalem, compared with its former magnificence, are eloquent with loving warning to all. There is danger in refusing to listen to the voice of God. He speaks to nations and to individuals. Shall the calamities that have befallen the world have been in vain for you?
"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." Prov. 22:3.
"It is not too late
To Jesus to flee;
His mercy is great,
His pardon is free!
His blood has such virtue
For all that believe,
That nothing can hurt you
If Him you receive."