Our cities, our nation, our world is under attack. It seems winds of natural disasters are blowing from all sides not to mention the day to day turmoil of civil injustice and infighting that is leaving neighbor against neighbor. In just over two weeks our country has been slammed with not one but two devastating hurricanes that left thousands of people homeless overnight. I have been in awe of the powerful mighty hand of God. In seeing his power in the storm itself and remembering that even the winds and the waves obey his commands.
I am sure there are many people in awe of the power of God and many who are left wondering how a loving God could allow this to happen. If the waves and the wind obey his commands, why did God allow these storms to become so destructive.
I am sure David had a few of those thoughts go through his mind a time or two. During a trip to Jerusalem to Bring in the Ark of the Covenant back, there aw a little mishap. As the oxen stumbled, the Ark began to slide. One of David’s men instinctively reached out to catch it. God’s anger burned against Uzzah and he was killed instantly.
5 And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs[c] and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. 6 And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God. 8 And David was angry because the Lord had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzzah[d] to this day. 9 And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?” 10 So David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord into the city of David. 2 Samuel 6:5-10
What’s difficult to comprehend is that Uzzah was just trying to help protect the Ark. But sometimes there is no way to understand the Lord’s why.
Even though David was angry and fearful of God he knew that God was still good. He knew that God loved him and he knew that God was in control. Earlier in David’s life he had been through testing and knew what to do when things didn’t make sense. He turned to the Lord in prayer.
16 But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice.
18 He redeems my soul in safety
from the battle that I wage,
for many are arrayed against me.
19 God will give ear and humble them,
he who is enthroned from of old, Selah
because they do not change
and do not fear God.22 Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:16-19, 22
For those who still remain in the storm today, whether it’s Hurricane Irma or a trial or temptation you are struggling with, may you remember that God is good, God loves you and God is in control. Cast your burdens on Him and he will sustain you!
Dear Lord, thank you for your powerful and mighty right hand that upholds us in our times of deepest need. Be with all the storm victims as they pick up the pieces of their life and try to move on. Holy Spirit, move in the hearts of the hurting people like the winds of a hurricane that they would come to know you as their Lord and Savior. Amen.
kateredding
Sixty-six books in a year 