What is the cause of disasters?

There is a little obscure verse hidden in the book of Amos, which asks, "When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it?" Amos 3:6b.

After the hurricanes this fall I heard conflicting commentaries on this verse. Some said that the verse was applicable to the hurricanes in the Gulf coast, but most people said that the verse did not apply. I think what they meant was, "the verse applies to disasters in other places, but not here in America."

I used to wonder, "How could God bring judgment upon America?" I knew that it was about time that He shook this country but I wasn't farsighted enough to see how He could bring that about. Then, 9-11 struck and I began seeing how judgment comes and now with the Gulf coast hurricanes it is much clearer.

Sometime ago one of the women of the church asked the pastor, "Why is it that when I drive into New Orleans, I get this tightness and oppressiveness as I enter the city" The pastor told her that there is a spirit of lust over this city and the heaviness is due to the demonic spirits which posses this place.

I think that it is interesting that all of the Christians who live in this area will tell you, without reservations, that God has started to bring judgment on this area. When they tell you that the city planners have gone ahead with their plans to hold Mardi Gras in spite of the disaster, they will add, "What does it take to get these people's attention, they are provoking God's wrath."