Was the Haiti Earthquake God's Punishment?

How about it? Was the Haiti earthquake of January 12, 2010, God's punishment?

Jesus Himself made it clear that human tragedy and suffering are not always a sign from heaven that God is punishing people. He taught that it is wrong for us to play God and pass judgment in these situations.

Remember the story of Job? That's exactly what his friends did. They accused Job of being a sinner, telling him his afflictions were sure proof of his spiritual lack, that he must have sinned somewhere along the way. Having that mindset, we will have a hard time explaining the tragedy and suffering that struck the prophets and apostles, and even Jesus Himself.

When you study the passage of Scripture found in Luke 13:1-9, you will discover that Jesus not only taught the people it was wrong to pass judgment, but He also taught them where that kind of thinking would lead them. The only logical conclusion of their argument showed that if God does indeed punish sinners in this way, then they themselves had better repent because, after all, none of us is sinless for all have sinned.

So, according to Jesus, if they had their heads screwed on right, they should be thinking, "What right do I have to live?" and not "Why did these people die?" But, you see, it's far easier to talk about other people's deaths than it is to face our own sin and possible death.

The next time you hear of a calamity or disaster that has taken many lives, turn inward for a time of self-examination and ask yourself, "Why wasn't that me? Am I just taking up space on this planet or am I the person God wants me to be? Am I living out my true purpose in life?"

Recommended Reading: Why Does God Allow Suffering and Evil? and Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?