God is the first cause of all things, and, judgment against sin is part of His work. But He extends forth the message of the gospel for the lost. So we should understand His judgment, though to judge is not our job but His! Our job is to be charitable and merciful, and, give forth the gospel.
But remember that what is happening in Japan is not an accident. It is judgment against polytheists. The head of the Japanese government just a few days ago said the same thing. The tsunami "is a judgment from heaven against our materialism," he said. And it was a judgment against the gods of that nation as well. God will judge the gods of the pagan nations. Through Moses God said that He would go through the land of Egypt and be "against all the gods of Egypt. I will execute judgment, I am the Lord!" (Exod. 12:12). The Lord brought a judgment against the first born of that land. He "struck down among them the first born. The Lord had also executed judgments on their gods" (Num. 33:4). And, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols. But the Lord made the heavens (and the gods did not)" (Psa. 96:4-5).
Japan is one of the most polytheistic nation on earth. The people are into Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. The are also animistic, that is believing that nature is "alive" as gods, such as the mountains, trees and bees!
Finally, "The Lord will be terrifying to (the nations), for He will starve all the gods of the earth; and all the shore-lines of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place" (Zeph. 2:11). -- Dr. Mal Couch (3/11)
