“The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11
Holy and Loving Jesus, in response to the flooding of the Guadeloupe River and the Camp Mystic tragedy—some words easily flow from our mouths—how horrible, unbearable, too much, “How can this be?”, “Why, Lord, why?”
Thank you for not despising our feelings—but giving them to us. Thank you for not sending verse-quoting angels to us to make it okay—because it’s not. Thank you for being our “acquainted with grief” Savior—the kind of friend who wept and wailed at his best friend’s death—moments before you raised Lazarus to life.
Jesus, thank you for being our Sovereign King and Suffering Servant, whose cry from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”, is the guarantee we will never be forsaken. Deeply conflicted and confused, saddened beyond measure, vulnerable and angry—but never forsaken. We are glad you sit “enthroned over the flood”; but we are ready for you to stand again on this earth, Jesus. We know the Day of all things new is coming, but can soon become really soon, Lord?
For that will be the Day of no more death and dying, no more mourning and wailing—no more floods, cancers, dementia, small caskets and huge hurts. Thank you for promising “strength and peace” (Ps.29:10-11) even before the Guadeloupe River recedes to “normalcy.” Grant both of these to search teams working 24/7 to find survivors. Grant both to families and friends who are inconsolable right now. Grant both to those of us called to be a hands-on extension of your tear-wiping, heart-healing, mercy-filled hands, Jesus. So Very Amen.