There are those events in our lives which become a catalyst to enhance spiritual truths we have known for years. It is not that we have forgotten the truths, but familiarity may have dimmed our appreciation of them. Let me share with you truths made more vivid as we dealt with the hurricane, Irma.
Irma reminds us that God is omnipotent. He is all powerful. All other forces are not worthy to be compared to His awesomeness. We were “powerless” in every way before His might. We hid in our shuttered houses. When daylight arrived, we left our houses to see the aftermath of His majesty. Perhaps the prophet Nahum said it best. “The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm” (Nah. 1:3).
Irma reminds us that God is omniscient. For days before the arrival of Irma, we saw meteorologists who were completely baffled as they sought to plot the course of the storm. Just thirty-six hours before the storm arrived, we were told to expect it to come directly over West Palm Beach. No mortal knew when Irma would turn northward. The evidence of this was seen in “spaghetti predictions” made by the most outstanding scientists using their computers. They knew almost nothing. God alone is the all-knowing One. Paul described God’s wisdom in relationship to human wisdom. “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Cor. 3:19).
Irma reminds us that God is omnipresent. Our God was present during that Wednesday night prayer meeting before the storm arrived. He was there when we prayed for deliverance in whatever came. When we left, He was with us in our homes as the storm approached. He was there during the storm. He was there after the storm. His name says it all, “I AM.” He is the eternal, unchanging God. He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
Irma reminds us that God is “omnipassionate.” I recognize that there is no such word as I just used, but His compassion and care is unending and immeasurable. He loves us. I will never forget what I saw during a lull between the raging rain bands. I opened the front door and stood in the breezeway. Four small birds flew from one place to another. How could I ever forget that if God takes care of every sparrow, then He would take care of me (Matt. 10:31)? Elizabeth Cheney so beautifully describe His love for us:
Said the robin to the sparrow,
“I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”
Said the sparrow to the robin.
“Friend, I think that it must be,
They have no heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me.”