The sound of falling rain. There is nothing like it. It soothes and cleanses and many times forces busy people to slow down. It creates a mood of reflection and rest.
But if the rain falls too hard for too long it can become danger and nemesis to well being. Such is the case in my city for the past several days.
Our normal way of life was first disrupted about one week ago when we experienced a 3.5 earthquake. It was quite the experience for us on the East coast because we so seldom get any earthquakes here. Then Hurricane Irene hit us with heavy rain and strong winds that knocked down electrical wires and trees. And now we are being hit by Hurricane Lee. Thankfully we are not experiencing any winds but the ground is so saturated with rain that many places are flooding. The rain is coming down in torrents.
Outside my house all the streets became rivers and all the neighbors came out to watch the rising waters. It was unreal. But no matter what happens I know God is in control.
Someone commented to me that she was just waiting for the locust to arrive. I don't think that God is cursing us with natural disasters. God doesn't judge nations today the way He did in the Old Testament. He judges us individually and watches how we choose to live our lives.
But the comment made me think about the disintegration of all the nations world-wide. Things are not getting better they are getting worse. But this has already been described in Revelations. The closer we get to Jesus returning, the more troubling events we will see.
More than flood waters, earthquakes, and tornadoes I am concerned with the moral and spiritual state of my country. Things are bad. People go to church but few truly live lives that reflect God's love. Many youth prefer to live together than get married and those who do get married divorce in about three years.
Parents give their children too much freedom and don't take enough time to interact with them. Criminals are given light sentences for rape and murder and judges and police are corrupt themselves.
No God doesn't curse nations as He use to do so long ago. But if the collective people of a nation continue to turn their hearts away from Him how can they expect His blessings? Abortion, homosexuality, blatant promiscuity, lying, killing, and deception are becoming the normal way of life. And if anyone has the audacity to speak out against these things they are ostracized and become the focus of scorn.
The media, whether on television, radio, or internet seems to most people the only sources for truth. And consequently they believe lies and deception and don't turn to the Bible or the God that granted them life. So its really no surprise that nations today are falling apart at the seams. The crumbling economies are only a symptom of the real sickness in people's hearts. Their greed and lack of discipline stems from a desire to be their own God and live their lives as they see fit.
Its not working and future generations are going to suffer greatly. These are difficult times indeed.
And as I look out my window to watch the rising waters in my neighborhood streets I wonder at the incredible grace and patience God displays. We are seeing the warning signs but how many will be wise enough to act before its too late? Will we who know God reach out to others and show them the love and freedom Jesus Christ provides? We can't change anyone's mind but we can point them to the true source of comfort and peace. In the storms of life we need an anchor, a safe haven and I have found it in Jesus Christ. May He grant me continued courage and grace to keep sharing his call for rescue in this drowning world.
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