The speculation will begin. Was hurricane Irene another judgment of God upon America? Some will claim that the hurricane is an expression of God’s anger and disappointment in a nation of millions who once sincerely pledged their loyalty as “one nation under God” and claimed indivisibility. The god we serve now is an ecumenical God. It is the god George Bush promoted shortly after the 911 attacks. He declared his god was the same god of the Muslim and the Hindu and the Buddha. Who can know if Irene is a demonstration of God’s judgment? What is known is that Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) It is also known that God made a strong declaration about serving other gods, “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)
Does God select natural disasters and throw them at rebellious countries like darts at a dart board? Is he aiming darts at Washington D.C.? Last week the city experienced a ‘once in a hundred years’ earthquake that measured 5.9 on the Richter scale. A week later they are bracing for hurricane winds and possible flooding? It wouldn’t take much to convince many that those natural events are a warning from God?
James Boice tells of an old woman in the bush country of Rhodesia. She spoke to a visiting missionary, “You have brought us the light but we don’t seem to want it. You have brought us the light but we still walk in darkness.” Jesus declared himself to be the “light of the world”. (John 8:12) “In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 14-5) It is a phenomenal thing to observe. The light shines all around us and yet most fail to see the light. They are blinded by their own disbelief. They choose darkness over light and then suffer consequences for their poor choice.
It seems America is being run down by a darkness that will soon overtake us if it hasn’t already. “Walk while you have the light, before the darkness overtakes you.” (John 12:25) Hurricane Irene is but a minor distraction compared to the social hurricane that has twisted and corrupted our morals and seems intent on destroying American culture. The darkness is a result of confusing the true God with the inferior gods of false religions, the growth of atheism, the murder of 50 million unborn babies and the economic confusion and chaos caused by greed and graft. We have forgotten God and his many blessings. “You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign LORD.” (Ezekiel 23:49)
Every unbelieving heart will one day believe. The God who is light will not allow his creatures to continue in darkness. Unfortunately, believing alone does not bring salvation to the soul. Satan and his imps believe strongly in the existence of God. Believing must be accompanied by humble confession in order to receive full salvation from sins and inherit eternal life through the Savior, Christ Jesus.
Is Irene a judgment of God? Perhaps. We are so blinded in our darkness that we fail to see the bigger hurricane that is destroying us. We can’t see the forest for the trees. We are suffering tremendous moral decline, we are politically polarized, we are an economic train wreck and we may well be on the brink of social unrest. We’ve been hit by a hurricane and it most certainly must be the judgment of God upon us.
There is refuge available for this great, destructive hurricane that is ripping our country apart. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
Hurricane Irene will slam the east coast of America. It will rain its wrath on the just as well as the unjust. It will affect those who have embraced the light as well as those who have chosen darkness. But for those who are Christ followers they may find comfort in the words of the Psalmist and the Prophet.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (Psa. 46:1-3)
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 nkjv)