The judgment of God has been witnessed in two ways as regards the presence of water upon this earth: flooding and drought. These occurrences, often called "natural disasters", raise major questions in the minds of some concerning the character of God. Sceptics argue that either God is willing but unable to prevent these tragedies, or else He is able but unwilling. We believe that God is neither impotent nor malevolent. As the Scriptures indicate, there are times when He has directly intervened and used conditions on earth to speak to men. There are other times when He has permitted a fallen earth to continue in its own natural state with inevitable results. Finally, we will consider a number of storms mentioned in Scripture and encourage ourselves by remembering that when the "storms of life" assail us and we find ourselves in a deep trial, help is not far away.
Flooding
The Bible makes clear that the global flood referred to in Genesis 6 was the result of man's sin and degradation: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen 6.5). God was grieved, not only at men rejecting Him, but also at their cruelty and violence to one another. Despite the general state of godlessness, there were a few people, notably Noah and his family, who knew what it was to walk with God. Noah was instructed to build an ark and this would become the means of his family's salvation. He was a preacher of righteousness (2 Pet 2.5) – adequate warning was given, and adequate provision was made – but men and women were heedless and careless, and they all perished except the little group of eight souls sheltering safely in the ark. Grace spurned spells disaster and death. God set a rainbow in the sky as a sign that He would never again destroy the whole earth in a flood.
Drought
To catch the ear of men who have become deaf to His entreaties, God has also used periods of drought. He does not act capriciously and cruelly, but His discipline should not be taken lightly. He declared to the nation of Israel that the promised land would be one of hills and valleys, receiving rain from heaven, and went on to say, "I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain" (Deut 11.11,14). He also warned them that should they turn aside from Him and follow after false gods and idols He would "shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit" (Deut 11.16-17). Such occurred in the days of the prophet Elijah, when the wicked King Ahab sat on the throne and the land endured a prolonged drought for over three years. Elijah was divinely sustained, initially at the brook Cherith, but eventually the rains returned. This followed the prophet's prayers, as James indicates in his epistle (James 5.17-18).
Jonah – the disobedient prophet
Jonah's storm was of his own making, in the sense that he was trying to run away from the will of God for his life, thereby provoking divine discipline. God wanted him to head east to Nineveh; he fled west to Tarshish. His disobedience not only threatened his own life but also those of the crew upon the ship. After they prayed and rowed hard, the tempest was only abated when they cast Jonah overboard (Jonah 1.15). Shameful as it is to admit, there are times when those commonly referred to as "the heathen" behave more honourably and show more spiritual perception that those who profess to be the people of God. We can often be wayward and want to go our own direction.
The disciples – a fearful band
The journey on the Sea of Galilee was undertaken when the Lord commanded His disciples to "pass over unto the other side" (Mk 4.35). Unlike Jonah, they were acting in obedience, and yet a great storm arose and threatened to engulf their craft. The Lord of creation was asleep on a pillow towards the stern of the boat. Filled with fear, the disciples wakened Him and in so doing foolishly questioned His care for them. After He arose and rebuked the wind and sea, there was a great calm. There are storms He permits in our lives, not to engulf us, but to try our faith and teach us the reality of His presence and power. He alone is able to say, "Peace, be still."
Peter – the impetuous disciple
On another occasion when the disciples again faced a storm on Galilee after following Christ's direction, their Lord was on the mountain, praying for them. He was able to see them although they could not have seen Him. This would remind us of our Lord's present intercession in heaven for His children upon earth who are passing through difficulties. He came to them walking upon the sea. Peter wanted to do what no other mortal man had ever done, and as we know he ventured out upon the waves. When he took his eyes off Christ and began to look at the conditions around him, he began to sink. This is a danger for us all. Fortunately, the Lord was right there to rescue him (Mt 14.31).
Paul – the faithful apostle
The Mediterranean storm and shipwreck of which we read in Acts 27 was preceded by panic all around, except for one man who kept his eye upon God. Paul was able to encourage the crew and the rest of the passengers – 276 in total – with "three cheers" based upon his certainty that he belonged to God, believed in God, and could give thanks to God (vv.22-23,25,35-36). The "helps" referred to at the beginning of the account (v.17) were ropes passed under and around the ship to hold it together. This would suggest the role of elders in a company of Christians under pressure. The "four anchors" (v.29) suggest the promises and revelation of God as found in His Word – our anchor in the storm.
Christ – the suffering Saviour
The greatest onslaught of divine judgment did not fall upon a guilty world but upon an innocent and spotless victim, the Lord Jesus Christ. The words of Psalm 42 point forward to the depth of His anguish upon the cross: "Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me" (Ps 42.7). Having passed through the terrible storm and death itself, He arose victorious on the third day, never to suffer and die again. We are eternally grateful that because of His love He went through it all and bore it all for us sinners, and we who believe in Him will never have to face the awful tempest of God's wrath. We are safe in Him.
Concluded.
