What we witnessed in Surfside, Florida this week is tragic, and our prayers are with those who have lost family members and for those still missing. God is an expert in miracles, and we pray that every one of the missing is found alive.
This tragedy is a metaphor for what is happening in America and in our families today. Early accounts and guesses are telling us that the Champlain Towers has had structural integrity issues for a couple decades, at least. Early reports are saying the building has been sinking a millimeter or two every year since 1998. We must wait for the full investigation to come out to tell us what exactly happened in this tragedy, and maybe we will never know the full details. But a sinking building is probably a good place to start.
Between 50 AD and 70- AD the Book of Matthew was written in God’s Word. Chapter 7 verses 24-27 speaks to building a house on rock versus sand. Certainly, the meaning of these words is to build your life on the Rock that is God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Everything else is shifting sand that will lead to ruin and your “house” will “fall with a great crash”. Spiritually, if we are based on the latest whims of society, we will be tossed about by the fear, evil, and desperation we see play out in front of us and on the news all the time. Physically, we know that the ground in Florida is porous, made of a lot of sand, and the popular term out there, “climate change” is not helping matters. Also, physically, we know that we are rather limited by the work of engineers and builders of years past. We have faith that they knew what they were doing and all the engineers and inspectors since the construction have done a great job at keeping us safe as we sleep. But spiritually, we can be renewed every day in the true faith that God will protect us and make our paths straight as we navigate life in this realm. He is the rock on which we need to build our lives. It has never changed, it will never change, and it will never sink or forsake us.
Some will say “if God is so real, then why did this happen to the poor people in that building”? Great question. And God’s will and knowledge is greater than everyone’s put together. We may never know the answer as to why a tragedy happens. But, I know one thing. Many believers think that because they are faithful to Him, nothing bad will happen to them. On the contrary, living a life devoted to God is harder than you might think. God uses tragedy, trials, and other things to test pour resolve and make us stronger for what lies ahead. Sometimes, the evil spirits of this physical world do terrible things to people and God lets it happen. Maybe this is to get the attention of someone. Maybe, whatever the storm, He wants us to call to Him for help.
Believers have this false notion that we will be spared God’s wrath. Surely, we hope that in the end days, we will be spared God’s ultimate wrath on this world, which will be a time like no other on the ungodly. But as Romans 1:18-19 clearly says, “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God made it plain to them”. Paul wrote this in the present tense. His wrath IS being revealed, not someday it will be revealed. The 1600 and 1700 Puritan preachers may have said it best. They said that men going about their lives without God is like always having the executioner’s ax blade two inches from their necks.
God, who is faithful and just, can only be so faithful to a God-less society. Romans 1: 24 said that God will give man over to their sinful desires. He will remove His hand from us if we refuse to acknowledge Him. I cannot think of a scarier phrase in this world. God can and has given up on those who gave up on Him time and time again. The first chapter of Romans is a telling chapter. You should read it and study it. Tell me what month we are “celebrating”, then point to the sign line and tell me where we are as the end days approach. We live in a society that celebrates the murder of His creation. We fund it. We vote for it. We do not defend His precious unborn creation. As a nation, we have become decadent, haughty, prideful. Our thoughts are on evil all the time as we try to make more money, have more affairs, feel better about our lost souls. Is it any wonder God is removing his hand from our once great nation?! This nation was absolutely founded on the Bible, the Word of God, yet we threw Him out of our schools and instead, we are teaching five year old’s about masturbation and gender choice. Yes, that is happening. America is on shifting sand and God is tired of it.
All is not lost, though. Each of us has a choice to know God, repent of our earthly sins and follow His Son. We are without excuse. God’s creation is all around us and we can see His glory in everything. When you see a bird take flight, or a beautiful sunrise or sunset, thank God for it. That is His handiwork. We go 1000 miles per hour in life and we miss the little things that show us God’s true power and majesty. Now is the time to slow down and appreciate the little things (which are truly the biggest things on this planet). If we slow down, turn off the news, focus on our families, pray for repentance and change our wayward living, God will spare our necks from the executioner’s blade. A life without the divine protection from God leaves us open to every evil satan heaps upon us. But living in Him will give us His protection, His favor. Hope can never be found in a political figure, a sports team, or a self- help book. God’s eternal Hope can be found in the Words written in the Bible and by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Buildings will crumble, tornadoes will rage, evil will kill, but being nested in God’s almighty favor will protect us and lead us to our permanent address in Heaven, where everyone there is living on the solid Rock for all eternity.
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