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How High's the Water, Mama?

Over this past month, the entire world has been watching the effects of the flood waters left behind by Hurricane Katrina, the breaking of the levees in New Orleans, and the virtual washing away of homes, businesses and even some towns along the Gulf coast of our great country. I imagine the question asked by the late Johnny Cash in one of his classic country songs was asked many times by people all along the Gulf coast: “How high’s the water, Mama?” And the answer there, as in the song, kept changing: “Three feet high and rising…five feet high and rising…seven feet high and rising.”

On and on it went until homes were destroyed, vehicles washed away, and people drowned in the rising tide. What a tragedy to come upon so many in our land. We thank God for all those who came to the aid of these people: the first responders from police and fire departments and the National Guard and other military, church members and their pastors who reached out with physical and spiritual help and all the many individual citizens, neighbors, family members and friends who looked out for each other and reached out to help save lives.

While watching all these things on television, I was reminded of a passage from God’s Word in Psalms assuring us that no matter what happens in this world, it cannot hurt God or take away God’s ability to help.

Psalm 32:6-7
“Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach Him. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

Events like this can cause us to question many things: “Who is to blame?” “Why did God let this happen?” “What is really most important to me in my life?”

Bad things happen in a sinful world, and they happen to Christians and non-Christians alike. Rather than being a time to blame God or curse Him, it is a time to cling to Him, to trust Him, to call upon His Name in the day of trouble, for as the Scripture says, those fast-rising waters will not reach Him. He stands powerful and merciful and ready to help.

What happens and what response would we have if all our earthly goods, including even our home, were suddenly gone? If we had only the clothes on our back and the change in our pockets, how would we react?

Christians are human beings and like any other human being, we would probably initially be in a state of shock. We would be hurt, upset, and sad that this had happened and we, too, would grieve if any loved ones had died as a result of the storm. But I believe the Holy Spirit-inspired words of St. Paul to the Thessalonians speaking of those who have died, would also apply in such tragic situations:

Thessalonians 4:13
“Brothers, we do not want you…to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.”

We have the sure and certain hope given us by Jesus Christ that this world is NOT all there is! This world and its goods are not the most important things in life. What is most important is a living relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. He has saved us from the fast-rising waters of our sins which, without Him, would overwhelm us and drown us in everlasting punishment. But Jesus took the punishment of our sin, death, upon Himself on the cross and there paid that punishment with His own death. In final defeat of death and sin, He rises from the dead to life, glorious eternal life, which He gives to us a free gift of His grace.

Let us therefore stand firm in Christ Jesus. May He protect us and deliver us from tragedy and hurt. May He be with all those who now have suffered so much from the Hurricane and other disasters. May we always remember the words of Martin Luther in his hymn: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God:”

The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Amen.