Question: “What can Christians do when storm destruction ocurs?”
Reply: The church of Christ began on the Pentecost after Jesus was raised from the dead (Acts 2:22-47). In a short time, Stephen was stoned to death (Acts 6-7), and “At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1). Sometime later, “Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2). He seized Peter to kill after “the Days of Unleavened Bread” (Acts 12:4). “Peter was therefore kept in prison but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5). Notice:
1) In the midst of that turbulence of persecution and death, the church “gathered together” to pray (Acts 12:12) and did what they could: ask God for help;
2) The church of Christ did NOT take to the streets to demonstrate against the obvious injustice, NOR resort to violent retaliation;
3) The church of Christ did NOT enlist the assistance, prayers, or sacrifices of unbelieving Jews, idolaters, or other “religious” people, because only “priests” (a.k.a. Christians) can offer proper sacrifice before God (1 Peter 2:1-5);
4) When tragic events occur, sometimes the best, and only, thing the church can do at the time is gather and pray! Then, when opportunities to do more reveal themselves, arise and help! Even the world faces hurt with an appeal to “gather together” for encouragement, while the church of Christ appeals directly to God. “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). In Heaven, “the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand” (Revelation 8:4).
5) On God’s earth, things happen to all alike, both good and evil. There are blessings, as Jesus said: "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven: for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). There will be death: “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). There is destruction: “The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation” (Proverbs 10:24-25). “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7). The difference is, the righteous have Bible faith to explain it all! ---jtpll
