Deep Waters

Rain continued to fall from the heavens a few days ago. One day turned to two and then three. Horrific pictures were broadcast on television of people who had to evacuate the comfort of their homes due to an unwelcomed invader.  As of today, nineteen people have lost their lives from a natural resource that is beneficial and ironically needed for our survival-water.  

Water is such a magnificent necessity. It quenches our thirst, cleanses our bodies and nourishes crops. It provides countless hours of free entertainment while we vacation at the beach.  However, the only way this water is favorable for us is when it’s in moderation and controlled. This same water that has many valuable uses is also powerful enough to destroy what we work all of our lives for, in an instant!

“Mommy, God promised He wouldn’t destroy the earth with a flood ever again, so, why is it flooding?” is what my ten year old asked me as we watched the news together. I tried to explain the best I know how and the only way any of this tragedy makes any sense, if it does at all. “Bad things will always happen on this side of eternity but God has always and will always be in control” was the easiest way I could explain it to my son so he would understand.

When devastating disasters strike, debris and disarray aren’t its only leftovers.  What remains are confusing questions with, oftentimes, little to no answers.

Why would God allow such a thing to happen?

Does God not care?

Where was God in this or does He even exist?

As a result of living in a fallen, corrupt world, we will endure sorrow and suffering and strife.  John 16:33 even says “In this world you will have trouble.” It may come financially, relationally or in this case, catastrophically. However, the hope comes in the second sentence which says: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

God, who created the world and everything in it has also overcome it! He summons the sun to stand still and commands the earth to orbit.  He orders a boundary for the ocean to stop. He administers air in our lungs and provides blood to pump to our hearts. He is the God who was, is and is to come.  He is supreme over every moving and living thing on this planet.  There is nothing that can happen without first being passed through His hands.

So, why did South Carolina endure such devastation? No one knows the answer. But, what we have seen are people coming together to be the hands and feet of Jesus. We’ve glorified God in the midst and have clung to Him as our hope for a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19) A good reminder, in all times, but, especially now is God loves us and is for us.  When the storms of life come and we go through deep waters, He is with us. When we pass through rivers of difficulty they won’t sweep over us if we allow the Lord, our living water, to flood us with the only hope, rest and peace we can truly have-Himself. (Isaiah 43:2)