Former president George Bush visited Honduras soon after Hurricane Mitch devastated that nation in 1998. Television interviewer Larry King asked Bush if natural disasters like this one shook his belief in God. The former president replied by telling of a 73-year-old man who had lost all he owned. Through his tears, the man told Bush with confidence, "Every possession I had is gone, but . . . I have faith in God."

The news that thousands of people have been buried in mud is disturbing and heartbreaking, to say the least. Does God care?

Jesus said that our heavenly Father observes the fall of even a sparrow (Mt. 10:29), so we can be sure that He is aware of each person who dies in disasters such as this, and He grieves. He values each of us so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for us (Rom. 5:8).

And when followers of Christ are victims of such a tragedy, family and friends can find great comfort in the words, "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Ps. 116:15). The word precious here means "of great significance" or "of great concern."

So when death and tragedy touches your life, remember that God cares. Have faith in Him.  — Herbert Vander Lugt