From time to time a catastrophic event occurs somewhere on the planet. Inevitably, when catastrophe strikes, people speculate as to whether this is some sort of judgment of God. If we leave this question in the arena of human speculation and superstition, numerous conflicting answers will be given to this question.

Some religious leaders will use such events to spark an emotional reaction in their followers. They will refer to Biblical accounts where God used nature to bring a judgment against a society, or an individual, that disobeyed God. However, in those incidents, God gave a warning through a prophet who confronted the people with their sin and encouraged them to repent. In the absence of such inspired warnings we should not assume that a natural catastrophe is a judgment from God. In fact, in the absence of such divine warnings, we must conclude that they are not from God.

God’s word does provide us with a straightforward answer to our questions concerning natural catastrophes.

In the Thirteenth chapter of Luke, we find a group of people questioning Jesus about some Galilean people who had been killed by Pilate. Their question expressed concern as to whether this had happened to these individuals because they were sinners. Notice Jesus’ answer: “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:2-3).

Jesus continued His answer by recalling a natural catastrophe concerning a tower that had fallen and killed eighteen people. Notice: “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:4-5).

Jesus’ answer, concerning tragic events and natural catastrophes and the spiritual condition of those who endure them, is plain; such events are not a display of God’s wrath against sinners. Rather, those who find themselves dealing with the consequences of tragic events and natural disasters are the unfortunate victims of “being in the wrong place and the wrong time.”

However, Jesus did use these tragedies to teach a spiritual lesson. Tragedy of unimaginable proportion is the consequence of our failure to “turn to” God. Second Thessalonians 1:8-9 reveals that Jesus will return in, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.” The tragedy of rejecting Christ can be reversed if we repent. But, the devastation of “everlasting destruction” and eternal torment can never be reversed.

Natural catastrophes remind us of the frailty of physical life. But for those who have the assurance of a life in Christ, there is a blessedness of peace and hope, even during a tragedy.

Do natural catastrophes come on people because they have sinned? No. Should the tragedy of catastrophe cause us to reflect on the frailty of life and our spiritual condition? Yes.