Why flooding and drought?

What's going on? After nearly two weeks of 90-to-100+ degree weather with no appreciable rainfall, the foliage is becoming so stressed that it is shutting down ahead of schedule. Some of our friends are going river canoeing today, but the water level in the French Broad River is so low that they may need to carry their canoes for part of the way.

Last Friday, as I drove over a bridge spanning the Catawba River, it was easy to see the effects of drought here in the Carolinas. The normally wide-flowing river was down so far that its boulder-strewn bed and gravel bars were visible, as far upstream as the eye could see. In most counties here, water use restrictions are in effect, and lawns are turning brown for lack of watering.

Similar conditions are occurring in many parts of the United States, Britain and Australia, and in other nations around the globe, while other areas are being flooded.

Why?

There is a God in heaven, but our nations have been giving Him only lip-service – or have ignored Him completely. Because of our individual and national sins, He is withdrawing His protection and blessings.

But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will reprove you, and set them in order before your eyes" (Psalm 50:16-21).

How will our Creator "set them in order" before our eyes? He will do this by showing mankind His power over the weather, and His authority in our lives. "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver" (v. 22).

God will reverse the cycle of flooding and drought we are entering, if we as a people cry out to Him, turn from our evil ways, and begin to seek Him and obey His commandments. He tells us: "When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:13-14).

The punishments coming upon the sons of Jacob – and the rest of the world – will not be brought about for any other reason than to bring us back to the God and Father who loves His creation and must bring mankind to repentance before He can bless us. "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives" (Hebrews 12:5-6).

God spells out clearly what He will do for those who humbly obey Him (Deuteronomy 28:1-14), as well as the consequences for disobeying Him (vv 15-68). God is not "kidding around" with us! He is real, and He rules over all that exists. He will bring mankind to its knees (Philippians 2:9-11). If we do not bow to Him now, and receive His protection, we will have no choice but to do it later when everything around us is in ruin. Which way do you choose?

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