It has been a busy month for the Eastern United States and its residents. First, there was the abnormal earthquake in Virginia. It's force was felt up and down the entire coast even spreading as far as Chicago. On top of that, a smaller one hit Virginia again only a few weeks later. It wasn't nearly as powerful, but surprising nonetheless.
After the shakes, Irene paid a visit to the entire East Coast. By God's grace, she wasn't nearly as devastating as expected, but she wasn't exactly a party either. Numerous tornado warnings followed in her path as well floods, high winds, and an assortment of falling objects. And apparently she brought her friends along as forecasters are watching other hurricane/tropical storm systems building up steam in the Caribbean.
But a little over a week later, people have almost forgotten Irene completely. Consecutive days of heavy rainfall have placed most of the East Coast on the spin cycle. Major river systems flow significantly beyond flood stages taking over major roadways in the process. Cars, homes, schools, and business stand in the raging water's path. It seems like months since the sun was last seen shining in its typical position surrounded by skies of blue.
No one really knows why this string of events occurred. People will offer a variety of explanations for why these things happened. Each will have valid points behind them. For example, science can explain the phenomena by talking about fronts, plate tectonics, and other fascinating details I know little about. However, no one will be able to ultimately define why these things are occurring. And this includes Christians.
I have no idea why an earthquake, hurricane, and flooding hit the United States in near succession. Could it be a warning? It could considering God has used natural disasters as warnings throughout history. Could it be judgment? It could considering God has used natural disasters as means of His judgment on earth. Could it be a reminder? It could considering He tells us all of creation points to Him. But it could also be something entirely different and unrelated. No one can say for sure.
But there is one can we can say with certainty in spite of all that is going on around us, as a collective group and individuals. God is in control of it all. He knew the about the earthquake, hurricane, and floods. He controls them all by the power of His Word. He sends them out according to His will for His glory. Here are few examples of His control over them (emphasis mine).
I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither ~Amos 4:7
He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. ~Deuteronomy 11:14
Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? ~Job 38:34-35
And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him? ~Matthew 8:27
After the shakes, Irene paid a visit to the entire East Coast. By God's grace, she wasn't nearly as devastating as expected, but she wasn't exactly a party either. Numerous tornado warnings followed in her path as well floods, high winds, and an assortment of falling objects. And apparently she brought her friends along as forecasters are watching other hurricane/tropical storm systems building up steam in the Caribbean.
But a little over a week later, people have almost forgotten Irene completely. Consecutive days of heavy rainfall have placed most of the East Coast on the spin cycle. Major river systems flow significantly beyond flood stages taking over major roadways in the process. Cars, homes, schools, and business stand in the raging water's path. It seems like months since the sun was last seen shining in its typical position surrounded by skies of blue.
No one really knows why this string of events occurred. People will offer a variety of explanations for why these things happened. Each will have valid points behind them. For example, science can explain the phenomena by talking about fronts, plate tectonics, and other fascinating details I know little about. However, no one will be able to ultimately define why these things are occurring. And this includes Christians.
I have no idea why an earthquake, hurricane, and flooding hit the United States in near succession. Could it be a warning? It could considering God has used natural disasters as warnings throughout history. Could it be judgment? It could considering God has used natural disasters as means of His judgment on earth. Could it be a reminder? It could considering He tells us all of creation points to Him. But it could also be something entirely different and unrelated. No one can say for sure.
But there is one can we can say with certainty in spite of all that is going on around us, as a collective group and individuals. God is in control of it all. He knew the about the earthquake, hurricane, and floods. He controls them all by the power of His Word. He sends them out according to His will for His glory. Here are few examples of His control over them (emphasis mine).
I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither ~Amos 4:7
He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. ~Deuteronomy 11:14
Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? ~Job 38:34-35
And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him? ~Matthew 8:27
So while we don't know the exact reasons, we can rest assured the events are not beyond His control. Therefore we can trust and take comfort that He knows exactly what is going on.
I was just reading that verse in Amos today randomly and marvelling how well it applied considering all that is happening here and in Texas. The verse that follows it is haunting, "'yet you did not return to me,' declares the Lord." Whether storms or trials come as discipline or not, oh that each one would have us returning to God both individually and as a world, me most especially. It's so easy for me to struggle to handle stuff in my own strength when God is just saying "why don't you turn to me.". Thanks for the reminder of this passage again today.
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