Now this is what the LORD says-the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you, Israel-“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.  You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.   Isaiah 43:1-2 HCSB

There is an old saying that says, “If the creeks don’t rise”.  This saying is another way of saying, “If the Lord is willing”.  James 4:13-14 tells us that we should not say that we will do this or that tomorrow, for we don’t know what tomorrow brings.  In verse 15 it says that instead we should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”

In 2016, our area saw a great deal of flooding in both March and August of that year.  Homes that flooded in March flooded again in August.  In August there were also homes that had never flooded that took on water. As Hurricane Barry prepares to make landfall, we are being told that it may dump massive amounts of rainfall, which will cause more flooding. When we think of flooding, we may think back to the first flood and Noah and his family.  God instructed Noah to build an ark which made him the laughing stock of the community. They were in an area that saw very little rain and had never seen a flood.  People thought Noah had lost his mind, but Noah just kept on building as God had instructed him to do.  When the ark was finished Noah brought the animals and his family onto the ark, just as God had instructed. When the flood came, they were safe (Genesis 6-7).

People often ask why God brings natural disasters.  Why would a loving God do such a thing?  A few weeks ago, I used the scripture passage 2 Chronicles 7:14, but today I want us to back up and take a look at verse 13.  This verse tells us that even if God sends disaster on our land, that if we humble ourselves, pray and seek his face and turn from our evil ways that He will heal our land.  Disaster strikes because of the sin in our lives.  Now maybe you have already humbled yourself and turned to God and turned away from your evil ways.  Good! Then have no fear. God’s got this!

Throughout the Old Testament, we see a disturbing cycle.  God’s chosen people, the Israelites, were freed from slavery in Egypt, they trusted God, grumbled, complained, fell into idol worship, were punished severely, repented, God blessed them, and they repeated that cycle, time and time again.  But one thing that was clear in all their times of punishment is that God protected those who trusted in Him.  Examples of this are found in Daniel, Esther, and Nehemiah.  They had been captured and taken in as slaves and all received God’s blessing and wound up in positions of leadership.  In Daniel we also had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that trusted in God and were brought through the fire unharmed.  The story of Joseph is a wonderful story that beautifully illustrates Romans 8:28.  Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers.  It doesn’t get much worse than that, right? He was imprisoned on false accusations, but he went on to be a leader in Egypt and was able to save his brothers and his father when the famine came.

None of us know what tomorrow holds.  We don’t know if the creeks will rise, but we do know who is in control of it all.  Turn to Him today.  Trust Him with your tomorrow. He will take good care of you, no matter what comes your way.

Have a great day!