THE EDITOR, Sir:THANKS FOR the opportunity to correct what I believe is an unfortunate and false accusation against a most loving, kind and merciful father the God of all creation. So often expressed it appeared to be the accepted fact by many that, a ferocious storm which visited this land, is "an act of God". My belief is that God's love and mercy spared us total devastation.
In Gen. 1: 26 God gave Adam dominion over all His creation, the wind included. When Adam sinned he gave that dominion to the devil. Satan was them able to manipulate and change created beings to function contrary to God's plans. Animals, lions, tigers etc. that were made to serve man were programmed to destroy man. The wind was not only the cool zephyr to be enjoyed but could be whipped up to be a destructive force.
According to Isaiah 11: 6 & 8 when the Kingdom of Peace is again established on earth the lion will be like a lamb being led by a child. Even deadly serpents will be children's pets. A storm rose up while Jesus and His men where in a boat on the sea. Jesus rebuked the winds and waves. If that storm was "an act of God" the saviour would never have acted against His father's will. Satan saw an opportunity to destroy Christ and his disciples. Little did he know that the winds and sea could only do as much as Jesus allowed them.
The "act of God" in the Ivan incident is His mercy which kept us from the most destructive winds of the hurricane. In John 10: 10 we learn the aim of the devil to steal, kill and destroy. As much as we were not all killed or our land totally destroyed, definitely another "act of God". We ought not to accuse our God of evil. Let us instead praise Him for His wondrous love, mercy and grace which constrain the wrath of the enemy of souls. Remember the devil hates mankind because of God's eternal love for us demonstrated in the gift of His son our Saviour.
I am, etc.,
MAVIS LOVE
1 Sargasso Ave, Kingston 17
