My husband and I were sitting at our kitchen table in Houston when we heard the news. Levees in New Orleans had failed allowing water to rush in and cover 80% of the city.
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina showed its power by breaching levees and flood walls in more than 50 locations. Property damage soared into the tens of billions and more than 400,000 people fled. But the loss of life was the most heartbreaking result. More than 1,200 people died in this massive storm.
Although the storm was indeed large and powerful, it was the failure of the protection system that opened the door on the historic devastation.
“The catastrophic failure of New Orlean’s hurricane protection system represents one of the nation’s worst disasters ever… A large proportion of the destruction from Hurricane Katrina was caused not only by the storm itself, however, but also by the storm’s exposure of engineering and engineering-related policy failures” (ASCE Review Panel 2007, p. v).
Yes, the storm itself caused damage. Yes, property still would have been lost. But August 30, 2005 would have looked dramatically different in New Orleans if the protection system had done its job.
What storm looms in your life today? Maybe there’s a stack of unpaid bills on the counter. Perhaps a medical diagnosis has knocked you off your feet or a rebellious child is wreaking havoc in your home.
Is your protection system in place? Have you placed your hope and trust firmly on the Rock of your salvation? Our Almighty God is able to bring you through any and every storm of life.
But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.Isaiah 43:1-3a, NLT
The God who made you, promises to go with you through deep waters of difficulty and fiery trials of pain. He knows your name. You belong to Him. Hold tight to Him and give Him your fear. He will save you from drowning and will not allow you to be burned.
If your faith is shaky, commit to learn more about the unshakeable, rock-solid object of your faith. He is solid and immovable! I invite you to take advantage of an opportunity starting today at Do Not Depart. Our team there will be leading an online study of “Unshakeable Faith.” Join us and start today on a journey to a rock-solid faith that will weather every storm of life.
What deep water, river of difficulty, or fire of oppression threatens you? What characteristic of our Almighty God can you trust in that will help you stand firm today?
Great Post! Our sermon yesterday was on Joshua 4. Our pastor talked about looking back and seeing how God has provided, looking at the present and see how God is providing, and tell future generations about it. I think being able to step back and look at your life and seeing the evidence of God’s provision is one of the best tools to be able to cling to Him as our protection system in the midst of uncertiantly and trials.
Joy, thanks for sharing this. You are so right! Reminding ourselves about God’s past provision strengthens our trust and dependence on Him. We so easily forget what God has done for us in the past. Sad, but true!
Thanks for this encouragement, Kathy! My devotions took me into Isaiah 12 this morning. It reminded me that I need to CHOOSE to praise, trust, exalt the LORD, even in the storms. He is my salvation and strength and song! Then He gave me the hymn: God of Grace and God of Glory…based on Joshua 1:9. Your blog is the icing on the cake for me this morning! (Goes great with coffee, too!) 🙂
Rene, thanks for sharing this Scripture with us this morning! I just love when God reinforces a truth over and over to make sure we get it!
Sometimes it doesn’t take much to make us feel like we’re “under water.” This week, I feel like I’m doing a little “levee watching” and seeing some water rising higher. UF is such an awesome study to help us in those times of life. Really excited that Do Not Depart is sharing it!
“Levee watching.” Love that! Let’s shore up the levees by sticking close to our heavenly Father. He will carry us through the flood waters!