“Who
can this be that the wind and the sea obey Him”? (Mark 4:41)
Daily, news media updates us with extraordinary weather disasters across the United States that range from wildfires to flooding, tornadoes to hurricanes and from heat domes to large hail stones. People are being hurt and dying, property is being destroyed and such vast areas are affected that may never be able to be restored even with the help of federal funds.
Like many families we have relatives who live in various areas of the United States. In our case they are in Maine, Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, Arizona, Washington and California. If we include friends, we could add another ten states. Many of them have been affected by the weather aspects mentioned above and some are suffering from physical, mental, emotional and financial pain.
A few have asked me if God is punishing the United States for a lack of Christian values or for sinfulness in general. Neither my daily prayers nor my “crystal ball” has sent me any messages confirming or denying such allegations. (I do not have a crystal ball).
What I do know is that the bible verse from St. Mark at the beginning of this blog should enlighten each one of us that God is in control of nature. We need to recognize that during adversity, we need to trust in the saving presence of God and turn to Him whom even the wind and sea obey.
After Jesus calmed the sea and wind, He asked His disciples who were worried if they were going to drown.
“Why are you so terrified? Why are you lacking in faith”? (Mark 4:40)
Whether if be natural disasters or life in general that bring negativity, we need to remember that Jesus died and rose for our sake that we might live and not perish. In Chapter 41 of The Book of Isaiah, Verse 10, it says about putting our trust in the Lord:
“Fear not, I am with you, be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with My right hand of justice.”
As God is patient with us, we need trust that all Jesus said and did for us while on earth and what the Holy Spirit continues to do for us until He returns, is for our benefit of receiving everlasting life.
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