Weather

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Not only is God the creator of the universe and its natural systems but He also manages and sustains them (Ex 9:29; Ps 135:6,7; Jer 10:13). The Bible makes several comments about His activities: God directs the clouds, has power over the lightning, and wind and sends rain on the just and unjust as He sustains the universe by His powerful Word (Job 37:11,12; Ps 18:14, 77:16-19, 136:6,7; Mt 5:45; Heb 1:3). In response to prayers from His people,  thunder and hail ceased, a storm stopped, and rain didn’t fall for three and a half years then recommenced in response to more fervent prayer (Ex 9:28,33; 1 Kgs 17:1, 18:1-45; Lk 8:24; Jas 5:17,18).

In the O.T God said to His people, “If you will…then I will send you rain in its season” and conversely, that it would not rain when they turned their backs on Him (Lev 26:3-5; Deut 11:16,17, 28:12,22,24). Most of their food resources were weather dependent, so to endeavour to get their attention, or in judgement for sin, God brought unfavourable climatic conditions (2 Sam 21:1; Amos 4:7). When there was a genuine calling out to God with heartfelt repentance the conditions improved again (1 Kgs 8:35,36; 2 Chr 7:13,14).

God sometimes causes natural disasters as a judgement against sin, yet not all such events are punishment from God; rather they may be the earth reflecting the consequences sin has had on creation. Likewise, disease, suffering and death are also sometimes attributable to sin (Num 16:30-34;

We must live obedient lives and trust Him in all situations     

Rom 8:19-21). When tragedy strikes, people’s confidence in this fragile life is shaken and they are forced to think about eternity and reevaluate their priorities, with good coming out of these terrible events as they turn to Him.

While Satan is the “god of this world” and “prince of the power of the air” whatever power he does exert is restricted by God’s ultimate sovereignty (2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2). Satan was permitted to bring what was probably lightning and a tornado to wreak havoc in Job’s situation (Job 1:16,18,19).

However, God is in control of all things, including the weather and outworks everything according to His plan. Although He cannot sin nor is the perpetrator of evil, He permits Satan and his agents to exercise their intent to commit acts of evil and wickedness, including all man-made disasters and tragedies (Rom 11:36; Eph 1:11; Jas 1:13-17).

For a Christian there is no meaningless suffering, and even if we don’t know why evil acts or natural disasters happen, we can be assured that in our trials God is working out all things for His glory and our everlasting good (Rom 8:18-28).

See also: climate change, disasters, rain, seasons, storms.