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"Flow,
river,
flow,
flood
the nations
with grace
and mercy!"
Graham Kendrick (C)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE0Dh-cogcU
Floods can be devastating.
Recent flooding around the globe has shown us that the hand of the Lord is still in control, allowing the work of His creation to show its power and majesty, which so often affects us in ways of which we are less than tolerant.
The song, "Shine, Jesus, Shine" served as the opening hymn last Sunday, at the church where I worship. I have a difficult time when I sing, as it seems all too often I sing the words but give little thought to what they are expressing.
So rather than sing, I hum. As I hum I follow along with the words and find the words have much more meaning...as was the case when we came to the words, "flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy."
Think back to Hurricane Katrina and how it affected the people of NOLA. Flooding in Mexico recently left tens of thousands homeless and the devastation in Pakistan, China, and North Korea is almost immeasurable. Nashville was inundated with water, as was my home state of Iowa. Running water has no boundaries and its force leaves indelible memories printed in the minds of millions of people.
In the lives and memories, in the minds of CHRISTians, one flood stands out like no other. Found in the Bible's book of Genesis, the account of Noah and his family tells the story of a loving and gracious God, who no longer chose to deal with the evils of the world and allow them to continue. He called Noah, a humble servant of strong faith, to build an ark, and then gather his family, along with countless numbers of the world’s creatures, and when the appointed time had come, to enter into the ark, close the door, and wait. Wait, until they were told by God it was okay to open the door and exit.
For those who believe and accept theWord of the Lord, no question is asked as to how this event took place. They/We/I simply believes it by faith. That doesn't mean we don't struggle with the "how’s" and "when" and "where’s," because we do. But at days end, we close our eyes and fall asleep with prayers of thanksgiving on our lips; for the grace which our heavenly Father provides, even to the point of not being able to understand or comprehend for all that we would hope.A good friend from my home town of Webster City, who grew up and worshiped in the same congregation I did, was recently affected by flood waters, flood waters which could have destroyed his whole outlook on life, especially the way in which he thought about the Lord. Relentless rains pounded his golf course until it was almost one, huge water hazard. Here's what he said, as it relates to what took place at his business:
"Think positive!! I don't have to water. I got the day off except for filling the water pump. I didn't have to mow because it was too wet. I can open in two days instead of a week or more like some other courses. I don't have to reseed or deal with dead or diseased greens from being under water. I have a great bunch of loyal pass holders and regulars that play golf here every week. Despite the weather, golf course revenues are up for the year. I have my FB friends. I have Jeannette!!! Life is good!!!"
Almost sounds like how Noah may have felt when the waters went down!
As the flood waters receded that once covered the entire globe, God placed a beautiful rainbow in the sky, which was His way of saying all the evil which pre-empted and prompted the flood to begin with, had been washed away. And He said that never again, would a flood of this devastation afflict the world, as this one did.
So what does all this about the devastation of flooding have to do with faith?
Simple! Everything!! Everything I shared above, talks about destruction...destruction in a bad way. In all the events; materials, goods, and the lives of people were lost and destroyed.
But in the song from last Sunday’s worship, the song writer says, "flood the nations with grace and mercy!" "Grace" and "mercy." Grace is defined as "undeserved love" and mercy is defined as "compassion" or "clemency."
A “good” flood. Waters of grace and mercy and everlasting love. A flood of compassion for the love of His creation and a reprieve and clemency for man’s sinful nature. The only devastation of God’s love shown here, is the devastation of sin and evil.
As the flood waters covered the world to destroy the sin and evil at that time, so it is with our Baptism. The water of Baptism is the water of grace and mercy. Baptism removes the cover of evil, washes away the sinful nature of the believer, in the same manner in which the flood washed away the sins of the wicked world.
The next time you see a rainbow planted in the heavenly sky, remember the love which God the Father and Creator has for you. The waters which floated the ark and it’s inhabitants were waters which flooded the nations of the world, with a destruction grace and mercy, so a new world could come into being.
By faith, believers remember and believe that the salvation through Baptism and believing that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, Who suffered and died upon the cross and Who was resurrected and ascended into heaven, was done purely out of love. Love for the sinner, who through faith, can now be called a saint.
For you. For me. For all who have ever believed by faith in the past, and for all who will ever believe through faith in the future...a rainbow is awaiting us. It’s a rainbow shaped in the crown of life.
Remember, where there is faith, there is “peace like a child sleeping, hope everlasting, in He, Who is able to bear every burden, to heal every hurt in my heart…it is a wonderful place, where there is faith.” 4HIM
May the Lord continue to grant you an extra measure of His grace, and His mercy, and His peace, as you walk your journey of faith.
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