Why does God allow so much suffering in the world? Earthquake in Nepal 2015

On Saturday April 25 an earthquake measuring 7.9 degrees on the Richter scale hit the northwest of Kathmandu, capital of Nepal. The devastating earthquake in Nepal affected 8 million people across the Himalayan country, according to estimates by the United Nations.

Over 4,400 people were confirmed dead on Tuesday 28 April, mostly in Nepal. The wounded reported surpass 8,000.

Kathmandu hospitals are overwhelmed and many of the injured are in open spaces in front of them. Meanwhile, rescuers and aid workers fighting devastation inflicted by the powerful earthquake Saturday, dig through the rubble by hand and put in very difficult terrain to get the victims.

How can there be a God who allows so much suffering in this world?

Many have asked these through history, and have given answers from different point of view, religious, philosophical, etc. I want to share what the Bible teaches about the suffering of people and how we can be free of this.

SIN / DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD:

The Bible teaches that God told the man:

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” - Genesis 2: 16-17 (NIV)

Then the man decides to disobey God and the results are devastating. God says to man:

“Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you’’. -Genesis 3:17 (NIV)

So begins a story of a whole human being God seeking to have a relationship with him, and the man for his part, moving away more and more of God, their creator. This makes man forget the principles that his creator had taught him, increases hatred, malice, greed, death, etc., all as a product of human beings away from the one true God.

THE FLOOD

An example of this was the flood, the Bible says:

‘’The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord’’.- Genesis 6: 5-8 (NIV)

It is clear that God allowed a catastrophic and destructive event, for one reason, the sin of mankind. God allows does not suffering to enjoy it, or because He want to see us suffer. He allows the suffering as a result of  sin and disobedience to his commands for our lives.

SODOM and GOMORRAH:

Another Biblical example is what happened in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says in Genesis 18:20-21:

‘’Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.’’

The decision of God is seen in Genesis 19:24-25:

‘’Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah —from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land.’’

These cities were full of sin, disobedience to God, sexual immorality, homosexuality, violence, idolatry, etc., those were the causes of the judgment of God for them. There are many more cases in which God allows major natural disasters, diseases, wars, etc., for the sin of the people who live there.

This was repeated in the Nepal’s earthquake, but most people in the country have sinned against the Lord one and again, with the wide idolatry and any disobedience to the will of God. And it is even worse because they have remained in their attitude of disobedience to God through the years without any repentance; when we see this we understand why God allows people suffer events like these.

But there is good news for those suffering !!!!!!

Jesus said:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” - Luke 4: 18-19 (RV1960)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth and died to take away the sins of all mankind. He will erase your sins, from Nepal and from every person in this world, you just have to RECEIVE HIM and BELIEVE in Him as your only SAVIOR.

You´ll receive salvation and eternal life. A whole new life, you will enjoy a personal relationship with God, yours Creator, who loves you with all his heart.

If you want receive him right now, repeat this prayer:

Jesus, forgive all my sins, I believe that you save me, and i receive you as my Savior and my Lord.

If you made this prayer seeks an evangelical Christian church where you can learn more about Jesus and His love for you.

You can write me at e-mail: past.abelvidal@hotmail.com