Storm Survival
Scripture Reading — Genesis 9:8-17
"Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life." Genesis 9:15
Tsunami. Hurricane. Earthquake. Famine. Flood. All of these have been present in our world and live in our memories.
How do we relate God to such events? It can be tempting to say they are displays of God's judgment, but Jesus himself warned his disciples to show mercy and compassion rather than self-righteous judgment in times of disaster (Luke 13:1-5).
In the storms of life, we need to remember that God always desires to save. God saved humanity through Noah and his family. God saved the animals, a gift of his creation, through the ark. God washed the creation in the flood and provided renewal. God was and is at work to save during storms. God is into storm survival; God is the God of grace.
The rainbow became a symbol of God's promise to continue to protect life and the earth. The rainbow became a symbol of God's presence in the storms of life. The rainbow became a symbol of God's promise from generation to generation.
Will storms still occur? Absolutely. Will God leave us during those storms? Absolutely not. The promise given to Noah is a promise that still stands for us. God will remember the living creatures of every kind on the earth--including us.
Dear God, may the storms of life remind us to seek shelter not in our strength but in yours. May your peace remain. May your Word remain. In Jesus' name, Amen.
About the author — Julius T. Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the founding pastor of a church in New Lenox, Illinois. He is currently serving as president of Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jul and his wife, Jackie, are blessed with a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Julianne.
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