Reflections on the Flood and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

I am preaching from Genesis 6-8 this Sunday. As I was writing out my sermon the thought came to mind, why did so many authors back in December of 2004 just after the Tsunami occurred feel it necessary to defend God's righteousness in light of the massive loss of life? I mean, if God's righteousness was ever in question, it would not have been in 2004, it would have been back in the days of Noah when he decided to blot out the entire human race with the exception of Noah and his family.

The Flood and the Tsunami of 04 were certainly both tragic and heart wrenching calamities. Noah was on a boat for a year, and he must have shed many tears thinking over the massive loss of life. I know I cried my share of tears listening to the stories which came out after the Tsunami of 04. Certainly these were times to mourn with those who mourn, and these were times to love our neighbors.

However, these two events are not occasions for us to put God on trial. In fact, the Flood was a trial of sorts for the human race. We failed. We were judged guilty. And God killed nearly everyone.

No human being is deserving of life. We are fortunate though that God establishes covenants like he did with Noah, sparing his life. God has established another covenant. This one is through the blood of his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Entrance into this covenant requires only that we repent of our sins against God and come to God in faith clinging to the righteousness of Christ. This covenant will protect us from all Tsunami's, floods, and will even save us from the Christ who will come again with eyes aflame and a sword proceeding from his mouth to judge the wicked.