Hurricane Harvey has come and gone but the damage remains. At the end of the storm hundreds of homes have been damaged. So much has gone wrong and many are left afraid. What would we expect? If disasters came through our living rooms wouldn’t we be anxious and afraid?
Isaiah, a prophet, knew disasters too. He knew many disasters at the hands of humans and was at the mercy of many enemies, but to be clear he was really at God’s mercy. In reality who isn’t?
To ensure that all listeners would have comfort, God speaks comfort to Isaiah, his people, and today to us saying “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
Storms, disasters, and all evil things are consequences of the first sin; a reminder of the sin in this world. The personal spiritual disasters we face, as well as the disasters we cause in other people’s lives with our words and actions, are a mark of our natural sinfulness. Even our thoughts reflect our sinful nature. Our sin should make us tremble because there are eternal consequences for them.
Yet Jesus himself faced the storm of sin as it ravaged him upon the cross. He felt the wounds of spiritual disasters for us and we were spared the disaster of Hell and death. He drowned in our sins that we would breathe in his righteousness and have new life, eternal life, through faith in him.
We will face many earthly trials, yet Jesus has faced the pains of eternal death. Therefore in the face of new disasters or whatever you face head on, do not be afraid for God is with you…he is your God. He has rescued you with His right hand.
During Hurricane Harvey, rescuers saved those in the midst of the disaster. In the midst of sin, God rescued us in with His right hand, Jesus. He has saved us from being drowned in sin and has given us a new life through Jesus. So do not be afraid for God is with you!