*** I wrote this blog after another devastating hurricane hit the Gulf South. As another storm approaches, we are reminded of past challenges, particularly the devastating floods of 2016 and Hurricane Katrina, which left a mark on South Louisiana. It’s hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu, with social media posts surfacing about people experiencing PTSD as the storm makes its landfall. But as Christians, what sets us apart is our faith in the One who remains in control, no matter what we face:
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
– King David, Psalm 29:10.
In South Louisiana, “the flood” has a very particular meaning. We experienced rain in 2016, which was considered a thousand-year catastrophic weather event. Down here, we are familiar with hurricane protocols. Other parts of the country deal with widespread fires, tornadoes, river flooding, earthquakes, freezing conditions, and more.
Have you ever wondered why God allows stuff like that? We sure have! Notice what the verse doesn’t say. It doesn’t say, “the Lord keeps the flood from happening.” Wouldn’t that be better?? Wouldn’t that make you rest easier at night…knowing that God keeps bad things from happening?
For reasons that don’t always make a lot of sense, God is apparently not in the business of keeping bad things from happening. Today’s verse tells us something different about his involvement: He sits enthroned as King over the bad thing.
Hear this:
- He is not unaware. He knows what He reigns over.
- He’s not uninvolved. He’s active in his kingdom.
- He’s not worked up in nervous knots, pacing the floor of heaven. He is seated. He’s chill.
As humans, we tend to want things to be safe and simple, especially when hard times show up. God is not generally in the habit of keeping bad things from happening. This is one thing we know: no matter what comes our way, God sees, He knows, He cares, and He is seated. He has perfect vision from His vantage point to see exactly what is happening, what led to it, and what will happen as a result. There is no one better equipped than the seated King with perfect vision to help you through your hard times.
While keeping bad things from happening in the first place sure feels like a good idea to us as humans, God promises something else: His presence. His peaceful, seated on His throne, kingly presence.
Pray:
God, please remind me that even when hard things happen, your presence remains. Emmanuel. You are God with us.
Discuss:
Talk about something that happened that you wish God would have stopped.
Do:
Hug each other and say, “When things get hard, I’ll be there for you, and God will be, too.” Then, have a family dance party to “I’ll Be There For You” by the Rembrandts.
Note: These activities are meant to be done with the people in your home. It is the same format as the family devotional I wrote with my friend Christine Varnado of Healing Hearts Counseling, LLC. You can purchase the devotional here if you haven’t yet!
