The catastrophic flooding in Texas and parts of Louisiana brought about by Category 4 Hurricane Harvey is a heart-breaking spectacle that once again demonstrates the formidable power of nature over humanity resulting in so much destruction, chaos, broken dreams and devastated lives.
Scenes of elderly people in a nursing home (photo above) trapped in waist-deep waters, dazed parents and children in rescue boats, submerged roads and cities, flooded homes and people in tears who lost everything move us deeply and touch the very core of our being. Storms, like any other natural calamities, are ones of the great equalizers of life. It affects all poor and affluent nations alike - from America to Zimbabwe.
How do we make sense of such a tragedy brought on by hurricane Harvey? Is there any hope left for those who lost virtually everything they worked for their entire lives? Psalm 29 offers a ray hope:
"The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty."
In the midst of the fiercest storm that we encounter in life, the voice that we need to hear the most amid other conflicting voices is a voice that brings order, reassurance, and hope - a voice powerful enough to calm the raging tempest within our soul. Hurricane Harvey brought so much destruction and displaced tens of thousands of people. But there is no storm powerful enough to silence the voice of the LORD. David knew this full well:
"The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, and the LORD sits as King forever."
Hold on tightly upon God if you are experiencing a personal storm in your life today. For the people of Texas and Louisiana our hearts go out to them and we offer our sincere thoughts and prayers. May Psalm 29 give all of us encouragement and hope in the midst of our storms: "The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace" - peace, the shalom of God that provides completeness - restful well-being, is ours through a relational faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.