The Results of Sin Strike Again

I was out of town all of last week attending a preaching workshop in Johnson City, Tennessee. Since my father only lives about 20 miles from where the workshop was hosted, I was able to stay with my dad and spend several days with him. Since my mother’s death, I find myself increasingly thankful for those rare hours we have together. 

My time there was super busy, learning about how to preach and handle the Word better. However, like all of you, I watched anxiously as Hurricane Helene pushed its way into the Florida Gulf Coast and pointed its evil eye at middle Georgia. There are times when this life reminds us just how finite we humans are, and the last few days have been just such an occasion. 

Around lunchtime last Friday, I left the workshop and began my normal route home. In less than an hour, everything changed. Near Erwin, Tennessee, traffic was diverted off the interstate and into a small town. It was then I began to realize the magnitude of the storm and the catastrophic damage it was causing. Just south of the mandatory exit, I-26 was completely submerged in water. A huge muddy river flowed across the interstate and through parts of the city. The entire town had no electricity. Huge chunks of land were underwater. There was debris and fallen trees everywhere. Restaurants, church buildings, gas stations, businesses of every kind, and homes were flooded. I have never seen anything like it.
I am not trying to be overly dramatic, as most of us have seen horrific images from these areas by now, but I have never seen that kind of devastation … not in person. It affected me more than I realized at the time. And the sad truth is … the conditions in that town (and many others) only got worse. 

After spending an hour driving in circles (along with about 5,000 other people) trying to find another way around, a state trooper informed me the areas south, surrounding Asheville was just as bad, if not worse. He said my best bet at getting home was turning around and finding another route. I stopped and prayed for that town and the difficult days they had ahead of them, and made my way west to Knoxville, then south towards Atlanta, then finally to Perry. Nine hours later, I was home. 

But … at least I had a home to come to. That is way more than many, many people have currently. 

If you are a Christian, and believe in the power of prayer, maybe stop right now … and ask God to help the millions of Americans who have been affected by this storm? Could you take just a moment, and entreat the Almighty in behalf of the countless families who have lost everything? Even though I am writing this article a couple days before print, by the time this paper reaches your hands, we will still be learning about the destruction and devastation this storm has caused. It will take years, decades even, to clean up the cities and towns affected by this … if ever. It will take even longer for the emotional trauma inflicted by this disaster to heal … if at all. 

But amid all the ugliness, destruction, and death – I want to acknowledge a few things. 

First, we have heard amazing stories of true heroism. A small-town chief of police worked for over 72 hours straight, trying to get the people in his town to safety. A weather reporter interrupted his live news feed, to rescue a lady trapped in her car, that was being swept away by flooding. Nurses and hospital staff led, and carried, patients to the roof of Unicoi County Hospital, where they were air-lifted by helicopter to safety. Countless law enforcement officers and firefighters have worked nonstop risking their lives to rescue those stranded or injured. We will hear more stories like these in the days and weeks ahead. 

Secondly, and sadly, this is not the first article I have written following a recent natural disaster. Back in 2017, Hurricane Harvey decimated Houston, Texas. In the days following, I wrote (what I hope), were some words of encouragement and counsel. But here is the even more woeful truth … if the Lord does not soon return, another hurricane will come, and another, and another. And yet again, I will attempt to speak Biblical and spiritual truth into this awful situation. 

I do not pretend to know why God allows all these things, but I do know why these ugly events happen. And the short answer, as uncomfortable as it may be, is we live on a world that has been cursed by sin. Planet earth itself is under the awful curse cast upon mankind when our first parents rebelled against God. Adam and Even taking and partaking of what was forbidden, has plunged humanity and the Earth itself into a state of despair. Death, destruction, and disease are all the result of sin against God. Were we not all just vividly reminded yet again, of how frail we are?

Which leads me to my final thought; horrific events like this latest hurricane should remind us of the uncertainty of this life and where we should place our hope for the future. Yes, we are thankful for the bravery of individuals to risk their own lives to save others, but that is but a shadow of what Christ has done for fallen men. Thank God for those who have endangered themselves in the behalf of others. Yet, the Son of God did more than just rescue our bodies, He came to save our souls! The Lord Christ entered into our broken estate and has done all that was necessary to redeem both wretched men and this wrecked world.
Someday very soon, Jesus will return and things are going to change drastically. He will remove the curse and make all things new! Then dear friends, there will be no more sorrow, sadness, sickness, or storms. On that glorious day, no one will have to worry about their homes or livelihood being swept away. Instead, every born-again believer will enjoy eternal safety and security in a new heaven and a new earth. This prophetic promise belongs to every Christian, because the Son of God became a curse for us, that we might enjoy the blessing of God found in Him. 

We in Perry were blessed beyond measure, and we ought to give God thanks. Yet, our hearts go out to our neighboring communities who are hurting. Help them, as you can … figure out how and do something. But believer don’t forget, people need more than potable water – they need the Water of Life who quickens the soul.  

In Hurricane Helene, we see the results of sin strike again. But in Christ, you see a flood of grace sweep over the human soul that gives hope amid heartache and a foundation for faith that cannot be moved.