“…See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction… For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase… But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed…” –Deuteronomy 30:15-18
Somehow, good news came of the recent devastating monsoon rains, which brought (yet again) severe flooding to Metro Manila and other nearby provinces over the weekend. While other countries suffer hundreds and thousands of casualties and millions of lost profit in agriculture and livestock due to flooding; the only complaints in the Philippines were local residents stranded in unmoving traffic, forced evacuations, and a scarcity of emergency supplies.
How long will Filipinos be shielded from deadly and devastating rains and flooding? Is there nothing to be done to counter such weather conditions?
Last weekend’s flooding proved the dangers of natural disasters cannot be stopped.
The truly bad news: By relying solely on the government, which has shown its failure in solving the flooding problem (regardless of administration), there is nothing that can be done.
The only way to fight calamity came from Jesus
We must seek alternatives to, at least, offer a fighting chance to overcome death and destruction brought about by rains and flooding. As far as I am concerned, the one tactic Filipinos have yet to truly utilize is the method provided by Jesus – the only possible way for our people to survive.
I hope Filipinos will not be mad at me for saying this but, the truth is, many do not even know Jesus has such an approach.
What is it? As mentioned in a column entitled “A plea to the government: Recognize the spiritual angle of flooding,” published last month in Watchmen Daily Journal, in Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus said, “These rains and floods can no longer be prevented from coming. They are sure to come, whether we, humans, like it or not.” In these verses, He emphasized, there are two kinds of people who face consequences from these said calamities, those who are wise and listen and obey his commands; and those who are fools and only listen but do not obey – Jesus warned, the fools will either die or face great prejudice.
As we face times of destructive and deadly rains and flooding, we should strive to pay attention to what Jesus said; prayers, or “chain petitions” (either on social media or elsewhere) will not be automatically granted; Jesus will grant prayers if we pursue a life adherent and obedient to his commands.
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FOR QUESTIONS, REACTIONS: If anyone would like to ask me any question about what the burning issues of the day mean, what we have discussed here, or to consult any problem, whatever it maybe, please call 0917-984-2468, email me at batasmauricio@yahoo.com, or post your concerns at facebook.com/attybatas. Promise, I will answer right away. Thank God in the Name of Jesus, Amen!/WDJ