It’s hard not to be moved by the images in Southern England of the unprecedented levels of flooding and the profound effects it is having on people. Homes, businesses, communities and transport links have all been adversely affected, the authorities have been overwhelmed and the politicking over who has been at fault is very much under way, whilst people continue to suffer.
People have been left watching and waiting for the worst as the rain falls and the waters rise and all the while it seems little can be done to stop it.
On the face of it, the situation for many seems hopeless.
But yet, in the midst of it all, there is hope.
Neighbour helping neighbour, communities pulling together to help one another in the midst of challenging circumstances. Adversity, it seems, can bring out the best in people.
For those of us watching on, we may not have to endure physical flooding but in our lives we can face our own floods. Some minor, some major, some devastating. Perhaps a bout of ill health; the loss of a job through redundancy; the sudden, unexpected loss of a loved one. All circumstances difficult in their own way to the people going through them.
As believers, God promises to be with us, no matter what life throws at us. He will not leave us, forsake us, abandon us (Heb 13:5; Isa 41:10).
We are too precious to Him. We are His children.
And He is God.
He is the God who brought the people of Israel out of terrible slavery in Egypt. He is the God who provided for them for forty years in the wilderness. He is the God who can breathe life into dry bones and create a mighty army. He is the God who became flesh and dwelt among us, died and rose again to eternally rescue us, setting us free from the awful consequences of sin. He is the God who loves us, protects us, cares for us, provides for us.
He is the God who is our source of hope (Rom 15:13).
There is no situation that we face that is hopeless to God.
Nothing is impossible for Him (Lk 1:37).
Nothing.
In the midst of it all, there is hope.