How do you make sense of the flooding in Texas? How do you make sense of any disaster that strikes, from car accidents to floods and hurricanes and tornadoes to earthquakes to sudden heart attacks? What’s going on here? You can trust Him in the tragedy.
This world is cursed by sin. Sin and death entered when Adam and Eve fell in sin against God. Everything is broken until Jesus returns to fix it. Until then, “There are wars and rumors of wars. Nations will rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:6-8).” Floods, tornadoes, violent weather, cancer, and old age are part of the package. There is no avoiding it. Bad things will happen, but how do we deal with it?
Jesus had something to say about these tragic events. In Luke 13:1-4, some came to Him and told Him about the people Pilate had killed when they were worshiping God. How awful! And He answered them, “Do you think that these people were worse sinners than all the other people, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Then He asked about another unexpected tragedy, “What about those eighteen who were killed when the tower in Siloam fell on them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?” He concluded, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” So what about the people who’ve died in the Texas floods, or any other disasters? Are they worse sinners than you? As sad as that is, the stark and sobering reality is that you could be next. Today may be your last day. Where will you spend eternity? What will happen to you after you die in an unexpected accident or after a long and fruitful life? Hebrews 10:31 warns you, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
God is in control. He controls the wind and the waves (Mark 4:41). He sends rain and withholds rain (Amos 4:7, Matt 5:45). Nothing is outside of God’s control. He causes events to happen, purposefully and willfully, or He has the ability to allow and He does not intervene. I don’t know why or what His purpose is, but I know He says, “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand (Isaiah 14:24).” I know He has a purpose and works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11). I know He does everything for His glory (Isaiah 48:9-11).
There is a word of comfort for you when tragedy strikes. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Thank you, Lord, for comfort and those who bring comfort to us.
This world waxes worse. In disaster, we are warned of His coming judgment, and we can be comforted in knowing God is in charge. You can trust Him in the tragedy.