Does God Hate Haiti?

The world has reeled at the images coming out of earthquake racked Haiti. Why there, one of the poorest countries on the earth? They have so little capacity for picking up the pieces and bouncing back. Does God hate Haiti? Or is God judging that nation for evil deeds of their ancestors, as one commentator suggested?

It is a dangerous thing to claim that any tragedy is a specific judgment of God, because tragedies come to all of us eventually. The book of Job points out that suffering and sin are not necessarily directly related, though there is an indirect relationship. All have sinned and fall short of God’s plan and purpose. We all deserve His judgment. Thankfully God’s first response was to send us a Savior! John 3:17 assures us, “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that through him the world might be saved.”

Have the people of Haiti sinned? Yes, of course, just like the people of the USA. Does the political corruption and the practice of voodoo and witchcraft disturb God? Very much so, just like the materialism and greed and rampant sex of the USA. Or any other nation. And disasters come to all.

When tragedy strikes, how should we interpret it? The “Why” may never be explained, but we should all be reminded that our life is but a breath, and at any instant we might find ourselves before the judgment seat. It should lead us to repent of all that has disappointed God. We should take note of how much of life is beyond our power to control, and humbly turn to God. We should evaluate our priorities, and recommit ourselves to live for Christ.

God has not called us to be messengers of bad news, pointing out the sins of others. He warned us not to judge others, or we ourselves would be judged. And God has given us Good News to share. Tragedies like this one in Haiti give us as Christians the opportunity to bear witness that God is love. And the best way to do it is not with words, but with deeds. When Christians reach out in mercy they exemplify the mercy of Christ.

These are tough economic times, and few of us have “extra” money lying around. Yet all of us are rich compared to those suffering in Haiti. Have faith that God will provide for us, and be generous in reaching out. Let’s live the Golden Rule, not just in the immediate emergency, but over the years of picking up the pieces. Let’s be messengers of the Good News.