Gracie Stack, CSUS Communications Manager

Living on the East Coast of FL, we had very minimal damage from hurricane Helene, that just swept through most of the south east region. The destruction and loss that this natural disaster caused, has been heart wrenching to watch. So many families torn apart in the blink of an eye. Most of us here in the US, are so comfortable with our day to day lives. We forget how much we are not in control, until we are hit with a force of nature that is unpredictably out of control. In times like these, it is important that we hold on to God’s word and His promises.

I was reminded of the promises of God, while surfing this past weekend after a storm passed over. The sky was still dark over the ocean but the sun shone behind me. In the distance, I could still see how big and powerful the storm was through the light drizzle on the beach. But as the sun started to shine even brighter, a huge extremely bright, glowing rainbow appeared. I could see every single strand of color. It was so surreal. I just sat on the outside admiring God’s creation and I was reminded that the rainbow was a promise. A covenant from God to never flood the entire earth again (Genesis 9:11)

When sin entered the world, the perfect creation of God quickly started to fall. This is why we have these natural disasters, famine, floods, etc. Without the promises that God gave us, it would be so easy to lose hope. God’s promise to never leave us nor forsake us. The promise of God’s son, Jesus and the salvation He freely gives to all those who accept him as their savior; giving a place in Heaven to all believers. The promise of Jesus’s return to earth.

We can rest in these promises because, this earth is not our forever home. Our true home is in Heaven, at the table of God (Isaiah 25:6-9). He has prepared it for all believers and there is always room at His table for one more.

Image: Orange Beach, Alabama Ocean Rescue