Earthquakes and hurricanes, oh my

By Joseph Farah

Many Americans are scratching their heads today wondering what in the world is going on with a rare earthquake hitting the East Coast to be followed by a hurricane a few days later.

It reminds us that our world can change very quickly.

Things don’t always stay the same.

Occasionally God really does shake things up as a sign to us of the consequences of disobedience and indifference to our Creator.

Yes, I really believe that.

I welcome the ridicule that will inevitably come from a statement like that.

It sounds like foolishness to anyone whose life is not centered around the Creator of the universe.

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There will always be mockers and scoffers, the Bible tells us.

But there’s an old saying that applies, “There are no atheists in foxholes.”

It’s amazing what trials and tribulations can do for the soul.

We need them. They are for our own good.

No, God doesn’t want to ruin our day or take our life. He wants to give us every opportunity to take advantage of eternal life and fellowship with Him.

Yes, I really believe that we are all accountable to a sovereign God, maker of heaven and Earth. If we ignore His laws and disobey His commandments, there is a price to pay. If we keep doing it, we pay with our lives.

I don’t mind the wisecracks a column like this always provokes. I don’t mind the darts and the brickbats. I really don’t mind at all.

It’s my job – as a follower of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – to proclaim the truth.

Silly, huh?

Look, this earthquake turned out to be a warning only, without loss of life or serious property damage. But there will be a bigger one coming, as everyone should understand.

Your life can change dramatically in the blink of an eye.

I don’t know what to expect from this hurricane on its way toward the East Coast. It could be devastating for some or nothing at all.

Nevertheless, it’s always a good time to get right with God.

Your life can be snatched away at any time without warning. So, when we get them, we should take heed.

Listen to God. Read His book. Obey the commandments. Listen to His voice. Seek forgiveness for your sins. Pray for the redemption of your loved ones. Pray for the redemption of your country.

I say this in love to everyone reading.

You can laugh about it. You can cry about it. But take the message seriously.

It is offered earnestly in love.

Washington, D.C., deserves more than the wallop it got today. It needs a much bigger shaking up than it got. And I have no doubts that it is coming – unless there is a real change of heart in the leadership of this country.

After all, if America doesn’t face judgment soon, God will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. And God doesn’t offer apologies.

He does, however, offer second chances, third chances, fourth chances …

He’s trying to get your attention. Are you paying heed? What will it take? Will your world have to be turned upside down before you recognize what’s happening? Would even that be enough?

I know. I know. It was just a little earthquake – and just another hurricane. They happen all the time. What are you making such a big deal about, Farah?

You’re right. We escaped this time. No big deal. But when your world is shaking, you tend to think about the things that really matter.

And what really matters is our relationship with our heavenly Father, our Creator, the Lord of the universe.

He is trying to tell us something. His message is very clear. Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Joseph Farah

Joseph Farah is founder, editor and chief executive officer of WND. He is the author or co-author of 13 books that have sold more than 5 million copies, including his latest, "The Gospel in Every Book of the Old Testament." Before launching WND as the first independent online news outlet in 1997, he served as editor in chief of major market dailies including the legendary Sacramento Union. Read more of Joseph Farah's articles here.