God's eruption hand

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 646, 23 July 1996, Page 14

God's eruption hand

• In the midst of the pain and difficulties of the continuing eruptions of Mt Ruapehu why is it that there has been a lack of discussion about God's involvement? Surely this shows just how few of us know that God is in control. That He has allowed the mountain to eruption at this time. This demonstrates His presence and His power and the futility of our efforts to prevent it or make it good. Only His people can bring the changes. We were all expectant of the Turoa skifield opening that Saturday two weeks ago when it looked as though we would escape the majority of the effects. But then it happened! A NNE wind sprang up and the mountain sprang into life simultaneously. And the Turoa ski field was also taken out. But take a moment to consider, we rarely get a NNE wind and certainly not in winter. We have to admit that God is at work. It may appear for evil but God always works for good. And this partial judgement will work good for those who realise that God is trying to get their attention. But sadly there will be those who are just too busy to take notice. They will continue to serve their idol. In recent years this mountain community has really experienced blessing and that from God's hand. We've seen growth in the building and housing industry. Property saies and values had increased and robbery and crime has reportedly dropped. The timber industry along with the vegetable industry have seen increased production and of course so has the expectation of greater ski and tourist returns. But who really took time out to give thanks to God for His many blessings, or took time to consider His patterns and standards of living. The growing evidence shows that we have become more irivolved with working away at our idol. And to do it we abused God's patterns, standards and plans, verbally, physically, morally and spiritually. So will the eruption draw our attention to God? Why is it that only when the earth experiences His judgements that the people learn the right way to live? Sadly, few people ever learn that the real balance of power has been given into the hands of God's people. Those who believe and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and sadly when God' s squad fail to take their stand or even turn away from His patterns plans and standards too, then the whole community suffers and that brings shame on the name of the Lord and it provokes him act. But the action that God really looks for involves repentance and returning to him. Then he sends times of refreshing from His presence and although the mockers and the counterfeit do increase He knows just how to rescue all those who call on the name of Jesus. John Mason, Pastor, Ruapehu Apostolic Outreach Centre. PS This Thursday there will be bins of kiwifruit freely available for the taking at the centre. Please bring plastic bags and help yourself.