Since I saw the devastation that the typhoon Ondoy had caused to thousands of Filipinos, I have been wondering what to do, or if there's anything that I can do. But most of all, I have been wondering how I could pray to God about it. I thanked Him for sparing us from the rage of the storm. I asked for comfort and peace from Him for the people who were affected and who've lost heart. But I still have questions.
Last night's message of Ptr. Ed Lapiz had enlightened me. He reminded me of the great flood during Noah's time when there was a 40-day and 40-night rain and the whole land was but a body of water. Only a few, Noah, his family, and a few animal couples, remained. God willed it. God willed the great flood. And whatever His reason is, it is not for us to question. It does make a lot of sense, though. A lot of people in the land then were living in sin and it's time to take action.
Some people would say that God is trying to tell us something through the circumstances. I believe He'd been telling us a lot of things before and we're just not listening. It's possible that we brought it upon ourselves. Whatever happened to our houses is something that we've been told, somehow, would happen. It's possible that because of poverty, there isn't a choice for most people.
(Matthew 7) The Wise and Foolish Builders
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
We've been warned about building a good foundation. A good foundation during the storm is Jesus. The disciples were panicking when the massive waves and strong winds were pounding mercilessly on the boat. They were about to capsize and they woke Jesus up! And what did Jesus say?
Matthew 8
26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
A storm is God's doing. He authored natural disasters. He may not change His mind about the typhoon or the earthquake. But the great thing about it is that He is a God of compassion.
Psalm 103 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
If we are not traversing this water with You on our boat, we'll surely capsize even on the smallest wave. But with You in our vessel, Lord, we can certainly smile at the storm! Thank you wonderful Jesus! Ever-living God and Savior! Please continue to teach our hearts how to truly fear Your name.
J.B.
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