Britain has been battered by three fierce storms within a week, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The triple blast came just as the Covid pandemic appeared to be easing off after bringing our lives to a virtual standstill for the better part of two years.
And now war has flared up, with Russia invading Ukraine. In addition, China is showing renewed aggression towards Taiwan. Whatever happened to the peace following the Cold War and the collapse of the Iron Curtain?
God is in charge
It seems that the weather in general, and natural disasters in particular, serve to underline our vulnerability. Even dictators and massive armies are ultimately subject to whatever the weather throws at them. Hitler clearly overstretched himself when his planned invasion of Russia got bogged down in sub-zero temperatures amid horrendous bloodshed. It was an action replay of what happened to Napoleon more than a century earlier. Not even despots learn from history.
It seems that the weather in general, and natural disasters in particular, serve to underline our vulnerability. Even dictators and massive armies are ultimately subject to whatever the weather throws at them.
But the weather is a welcome reminder of who is in charge of our planet – Messiah Jesus, “the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation” (Rev 3:14).
Weather events following political decisions
When nations of old conspired against Israel, the psalmist called on the Lord to pursue the plotters “with your tempest and terrify them with your storm” (Ps 83:15). There are a series of incidents in more recent times when attempts to divide the land of Israel – brokered by America – have ‘coincidentally’ been followed by devastating hurricanes and tornadoes. (Dividing God’s land brings judgment – see Joel 3:2).
One example is the 2005 flooding of New Orleans after Israel succumbed to international pressure to withdraw from Gaza as part of a ‘land for peace’ deal. On August 23rd that year, just as Jews were being evicted from their homes in the enclave, a seemingly insignificant tropical storm slowly gained momentum in the Atlantic and, defying all forecasts with wind strength ‘off the scale’, struck New Orleans with a vengeance, leaving 10,000 dead and destroying thousands of homes.1
When flooding caused chaos in Britain in 2014, UKIP councillor David Silvester suggested it might have had something to do with God’s displeasure over our sinful ways – with particular reference to David Cameron’s redefinition of marriage to include homosexuals. Cllr Silvester had pointed out that Britain had been “beset by storms” since the passing of the new gay marriage laws.2
Predictably, he was much mocked at the time, and all too few Christians rose to his defence. For it surely follows that if you believe God created the world (as Christians do), then it is not stretching the point too far to suggest that he might also have some control over the weather patterns, as indeed Jesus so profoundly demonstrated when stilling the storm with a word on the Sea of Galilee. “What kind of man is this?” his disciples asked each other afterwards. “Even the winds and the waves obey him.” (Matt 8:23-27)
Meanwhile the LGBT agenda continues to expand its ‘empire’ of influence, now firmly entrenched in the once macho sporting world. Even the Harlequins rugby club feel duty-bound to demonstrate their ‘pride’ credentials in becoming the first professional team to launch an LGBT supporters’ group.3
The storms keep coming. Is man-made climate change to blame? Pah! I rather suggest that our selfish, do-as-we-please, lifestyle is the cause.
The storms keep coming. Is man-made climate change to blame? Pah! I rather suggest that our selfish, do-as-we-please, lifestyle is the cause, and that the battering won’t stop until we turn to God in repentance. This must begin with the Church who should have sounded a clearer note of warning about the penalty for persistently breaking God’s commandments.
Trust in the Lord
Red alerts in Britain are rare, and yet forecasters were issuing these for much of the UK. Was the Lord, who has so mercifully guided, protected and rescued this nation over the centuries, now handing us a red card? Enough is enough. The game is over for those who cock a snook at the Lord of creation. When will we acknowledge our arrogance in believing we can solve every problem that comes our way without turning to Jesus for help?
My wife and I have just returned safely from a visit to family in Hampshire (a 400-mile round trip) by successfully dodging both Dudley and Eunice (the storms, I mean) thanks to our Saviour to whom we had prayed for guidance and protection. The winds died down and the conditions eased, enabling us to negotiate the motorway mayhem.
The Bible says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5f)
Signs of the times
Good weather has no doubt become an idol for many, who spare no expense in chasing the sun. But even an earthly paradise in the Caribbean or Mediterranean can by spoilt by cloud and rain. Only heaven holds the key to eternal bliss.
Perhaps more than anything, terrifying climatic conditions are a portent of the imminent return of our Lord, who warned: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time, they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25-28)
But don’t worry. God is sovereign. He will redeem his people, we are safe in his hands, and the way of the wicked will perish (Ps 1:6).
Notes
1Charles Gardner, Peace in Jerusalem (olivepresspublisher.com), p185
2Ibid, p182
3BBC News, 19th February 2022