8 Times the Bible Mentions Natural Disasters, and What That Means for Us Today

“To Adam he said, ‘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; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life’” (Genesis 3:17).

Man’s fall from grace. “Cursed is the ground because of you…” The words speak volumes as to the domino effect of the fall. 

God created man in a perfect existence where we reigned over all. Then sin happened. Paul tells us in Romans “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:22). 

Instead of us reigning over nature, nature seems to reign over us.

2. The Great Flood

“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).

These verses describe the incredible consequences of human wickedness, which led to God’s decision to send a great flood, intended to destroy all living creatures on earth. Yet, the verse also reflects that Noah’s righteousness and favor in the eyes of God. The evidence that, even in the midst of enormous natural disasters, God provides a path of salvation for those who remain faithful servants. We read the extent of the flood – complete devastation and loss of life caused by the natural disaster. Yet, we also see God’s salvation for Noah and his family. 

We see His faithfulness in the midst of massive destruction.

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“When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the ground. So the Lord rained hail on the land of Egypt; hail fell and lightning flashed back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation” (Exodus 9:23-24).

Exodus describes for us plagues sent by God upon Egypt to serve as a demonstration of God’s power over natural disasters – and his ability and willingness to use them as tools of judgement. The hailstorm was exceptionally severe – causing a great deal of destruction and death.

Through it all, God’s mercy for his people and those who heeded his warning to take shelter, were spared.

4. The Perils of Job

“While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:18-19).

Job experiences a tragic series of disasters – natural and otherwise: fire from heaven; theft; and a mighty wind – that combined to have a devastating impact on Job’s life. These events were imposed by Satan, but allowed by God. Yet, the entire story provides a compelling image of profound faith and trust exhibited by Job throughout his suffering – an image that, even in the face of unimaginable calamities, God is still present and in control. 

“In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22).

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“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psalm 46:1-3).

A simple journey through the Psalms of David and we find a man as we are – challenged with his personal doubts and torment, driven by tragedy. Yet each psalm clearly displays renewed faith in God. Psalm 29:10-11 acknowledges God’s sovereignty over nature – asserting his authority and control yet highlighting God’s role in providing strength and peace to his people.

This theme is repeated throughout the psalms.

6. The Prophets

“’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).

(See also Isaiah 29:6; 54:10; Jeremiah 10:12-13; Jonah 1:4; Nahum 1:3)

The Prophets each offer their own words of comfort and assurance from the Lord in times of trouble, including turbulent natural disasters, such as when the mountains shake, and hills are removed. 

Even then, God’s love remains steadfast.

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“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely cal.  He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” (Mark 4:37-39).

This is no parable, it is an eyewitness account. While the disciples are terrified, Jesus is clearly in control and demonstrates his authority over nature – over all things – by commanding the wind and waves, and then rebuking his disciples for their lack of faith in Him. 

It is a powerful reminder of God’s power over natural disasters, and that we can trust Him even when we are faced with events that seem overwhelming to us.

8. The End Times

“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. … There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea” (Luke 21:11, 25).

“Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake” (Revelation 16:18).

The culmination of God’s wrath. The final judgement. Various natural disasters will include thunder, lightning, enormous hailstones, an unprecedented earthquake – and so much more. 

These verses serve as a warning to many – and a reminder to believers – that one day God will bring justice to an unjust world, and the unrepentant will face the consequences of their actions, while those in Christ are raised to an eternal life without pain or tears or sorrow.

The Bible is quite clear that we will face trials of many kinds. We will face storms in our lives – both literal and figurative – some much more devastating than others. Storms of both kinds can be devastating and steal what is valuable to us. Storms can break our hearts. Storms also humble us, reminding us of how much we need God and His help.

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“Far be it from you to do such a thing — to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25).

These are Abraham’s words to the Lord just before the Lord struck down Sodom. Abraham knew that God always does what is right. He is not the one to blame when good people die as the result of natural disasters – but when they do, God will be faithful.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2).

In and through all things, God remains our source of strength. No matter what may happen around us, God is faithful and reliable.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

We don’t know what God knows and must trust that he is always working for our good. 

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants” (Psalm 116:15).

Oh God of hope and mercy, we lift up to you all victims of these natural disasters, those responding with assistance and with aid. Please, Father, protect all who are in any form of danger, and provide your unequalled help to those in need. Strengthen the weary, Father. Console the grieving. Heal the suffering. And bless those engaged in disaster relief efforts. 

Compassionate Lord, we pray for those who have been devastated by the recent natural disasters. We remember those who have lost their lives suddenly. We hold in our hearts the families forever changed by grief and devastating loss. Please, Father, bring them consolation and comfort. Fill them with your mercy and grace, Lord. Bless those who have survived, and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. Give them the courage to face the long road toward rebuilding that lies ahead – with your strength. 

Help us, Father, to respond with generosity in prayer, in assistance, and in aid to the best of our abilities. Please keep our hearts focused on the needs of those impacted. 

Amen.

Max Lucado wrote, “Clouds of doubt are created when the warm, moist air of our expectations meets the cold air of God’s silence.” We don’t see God’s means to good because he is infinite, and we are finite. Our choice? To step away or to step closer – leaning into God when we need Him most.

The best response in any storm is for us to seek and trust Jesus. It is to continue to love God and love others, especially others who are hurting like you are. The death and resurrection of Jesus serves to remind us that even the most extreme trials, the greatest of storms are not the end of the story. 

If God wanted to end all evil in the world he could by a thought. But he doesn’t. He lets the world run its course with evil in it until His time is complete. Disasters will come and disasters will go, but God will be with us always. 

In every storm, God’s love and grace and faithfulness will make the final difference. And he will be with us to overcome them. The world can be so hard, but our destiny is to live eternally with God in the perfect world He always intended.

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Prayer For Those Affected By Natural Disaster

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