Dear Church,
Our hearts are saddened by all the damage inflicted upon mankind with the destruction from Hurricane Helene.
May I give some critical thoughts for consideration?
- Natural disasters give us the opportunity to respond to God. We can be angry, especially if it were our house, our business, our child lost in the rushing water, or the fallen tree. Or we can stand in awe of the mighty power of the Almighty.
- The ground shook in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee as did the other states where landfall occurred, and the storm moved up and left. The only thing that matters to many is to be able to find firm ground to stand upon.
- The Bible instructs us to make sure that our lives are built upon a foundation that will never be shaken, a foundation that is not subject to the unpredictable forces of nature.
- At Mt. Sinai, the Bible records the first earthquake as God gave the law to Moses. Why? God expects and commands those who are created by Him to tremble and be in awe of His power. His voice speaks of the content of the moral law; the voice of nature (earthquake) spelled out God’s power and authority. The Ten Commandments shouted His rules for living; the Trembling of Nature shouted His rules for worshipping. We are to fear Him for this is not only appropriate but commanded.
- God also spoke at Mt. Calvary and the earth quaked. Jesus spoke words of kindness, mercy, and love even while He was being judged for our sins. We should listen. “Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to Listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!” When God spoke from Mount Sinai His voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.”
- The earth will not go on forever. Earthquakes and hurricanes remind us that life is short and that God will re-create a new heaven and a new earth. Only what is eternal will remain.
- We are to know that tragedies are teachers that instruct us to hold on to Christ tightly and hold everything else loosely.
The Eternal Kingdom will never be shaken. Find your Firm ground to stand upon and thank God for His Unshakeable Kingdom.
Pastor Don