Man's Baser Instincts
One of the worst catastrophes in this country has happened and we are still trying to regain some composure. If you're like me, you are watching exerpts throughout the day to see what is happening in New Orleans, Mississippi and Alabama. I cannot begin to imagine how deeply seated is this turmoil in their lives. I have found myself in deep anguish over the loss of life and the helplessness of the people I see on TV and read about in the paper. I think I am in a personal struggle as well, wishing there was something more I could do besides giving money and praying.
Personally, I don't know anyone in any of the areas -- that I know of. One of my former youth and member of ALC was going to attend Tulane and then was sent home. It was covered in the Sentinel on Saturday. Other than that, I feel somewhat distant both physically and emotionally from the whole thing. Even with the inundation of media coverage, one cannot fully connect. But one thing I do know -- God is with these people whether they realize it or not. In his common grace he has watched over the whole ordeal and continues to pour out his mercy (Eccl 3 - actually all of Ecclesiastes).
When I hear about the looting, shootings and such it reminds me of Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And again Romans 3:10-18,
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
RO 3:11 there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
RO 3:12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
RO 3:13 "Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
RO 3:14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
RO 3:15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
RO 3:16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
RO 3:17 and the way of peace they do not know."
RO 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
This is the baser instinct of man. It is our fallen and corrupt nature -- the poison of our sinful nature. And sometimes it rears its ugly head in our deepest distress especially with those things that are out of our control and we have no where to turn. BUT, 1TI 4:9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Blessings
Personally, I don't know anyone in any of the areas -- that I know of. One of my former youth and member of ALC was going to attend Tulane and then was sent home. It was covered in the Sentinel on Saturday. Other than that, I feel somewhat distant both physically and emotionally from the whole thing. Even with the inundation of media coverage, one cannot fully connect. But one thing I do know -- God is with these people whether they realize it or not. In his common grace he has watched over the whole ordeal and continues to pour out his mercy (Eccl 3 - actually all of Ecclesiastes).
When I hear about the looting, shootings and such it reminds me of Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And again Romans 3:10-18,
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
RO 3:11 there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
RO 3:12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."
RO 3:13 "Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."
RO 3:14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
RO 3:15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;
RO 3:16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
RO 3:17 and the way of peace they do not know."
RO 3:18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
This is the baser instinct of man. It is our fallen and corrupt nature -- the poison of our sinful nature. And sometimes it rears its ugly head in our deepest distress especially with those things that are out of our control and we have no where to turn. BUT, 1TI 4:9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Blessings
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