A few days ago a tropical storm weakened as it approached the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. But when the system reemerged into the Gulf of Mexico it began to move towards the coast of Texas and grew quickly into a powerful category 4 hurricane named Harvey.
Do not allow the public media to deceive you into thinking that mythical Mother Nature birthed Harvey. This storm is not merely the random result of an intense area of low pressure coincidentally interacting with 2 high pressure centers that will potentially result in portions of the Texas coast receiving over 30” of rain, destructive winds and storm surges. Mother Nature has nothing to do with Harvey! This is the work of the Living God of the Bible. In Job 37:9-13, the Holy Spirit specifically tells us what is happening with Harvey and with all of the weather on Planet Earth:
The stormy wind comes from its chamber,
and the driving winds bring the cold.
God’s breath sends the ice,
freezing wide expanses of water.
He loads the clouds with moisture,
and they flash with his lightning.
The clouds churn about at his direction.
They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
He makes these things happen either to punish people
or to show his unfailing love.
I have no idea what God’s specific purpose is in bringing Harvey to the Texas coast this August night. But I do know that at the very least he desires that all of mankind would stand in awe and wonder of his great power. Lives may very well be lost tonight and in the days ahead. There is no plan or ability of man to reign in the vast power of God. My heart goes out to those in the path of Harvey. I grew up in South Florida and know something of the devastation that hurricane can produce. This is a time of sobering awe.
Harvey is a vivid reminder that this is God’s world and that all men are accountable to him. God acts in mercy and judgement at the same time. I pray that this storm will drive us a nation to repentance for acting as if God’s character and commands do not matter. I pray that we see God’s mercy even in devastation. And, I pray most urgently that Jesus Christ will be honored by his church and that many will come to him, the who one commands the winds and waves!