“Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?” (Ezek. 18:23).
The recent tsunami disaster saw thousands of people swept into eternity. Often when calamities strike, many blame God, or at least they ask why God would allow this thing to happen. God is labeled as distant and uncaring.
Does God care? God shows His care continually. He speaks to the world through different events such as this one. He speaks to nations, perhaps with internal strife. He speaks to individuals. God’s desire is that all should turn from their way and live. God directs circumstances and provides opportunity to make this possible.
God often does things in miraculous ways. One such miracle took place on Pillopanja Island, situated at the southern end of India’s remote Andaman-Nicobar archipelago. Island residents are the Nicobarese, who still follow their centuries-old practices of spirit worship, animal sacrifice and identifying nature as a living being.
On December 26, 2004, tremendous waves swept the shore. All were lost, except for forty-year-old Michael Mangal. He said, “The water scooped me up and drew me into the sea. Then the water picked me up again and threw me back to Pillopanja.”
He soon realized he was all alone on the island. All others were dead. “The nights were the worst; I was scared.”
One day, sifting through the rubble looking for something he could use, he found a Bible. “All I came back to each evening was that Bible, and I read it every night and prayed.”
Twenty-five days later Michael Mangal was rescued by four men in a motorboat. He was severely dehydrated and weak, but he was alive.
What an example of God’s care! How did a Bible end up on an island of poor coconut farmers? A tiny island, a handful of people, and God provided them with a Bible, His holy Word. What an opportunity for salvation God had presented them with! They were given a choice. Did they make the right choice? God only knows! We pray that Michael is continuing to read that Bible and that he is trusting in our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve....As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).