Flooding Rivers, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Our Sin

The flooding rivers of North Carolina are a picture of the effects of sin.

Flooded Rivers in NC

Lumberton, NC several days after the storm

Hurricane Matthew dealt a severe blow to eastern North Carolina.  Many areas of NC received a foot or more of rain. While there was certainly flooding and damage last Saturday during the peak of the storm, much of the worst flooding is actually coming several days to a week after the rain stopped.  This is because all that rain flows into ditches which go into streams and creeks which eventually combine into the system of major rivers which drain into the ocean.  So a large amount of water is eventually concentrated in the rivers.  This leads to the river banks overflowing.

The effects are fairly predictable.  For example, here is a graph of the actual (in blue) and the future predicted (in purple) flood level of the Tar River.  As the river rises, it is flooding large areas of Greenville.

The storm was over on Sunday, but most of the flooding comes later

This delayed flooding is a picture of how sin wreaks damage long after specific sins are committed.  There are many examples in the Bible of the effects of sin building up until the consequences pour over the banks and cause widespread damage and suffering (Genesis 15:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:16).  This happens on both an individual level and in communities and nations. 

Before our eyes, several painful examples of the delayed damaged of sin are being played out in US politics.

Example 1:  Donald Trump’s Sin is Revealed

Eleven years ago, Donald Trump said some very ugly and evil things.  It appears that he was bragging about his ability to sexually assault women and get away with it because of his celebrity status.  For eleven years there were no visible consequences for this sin.  Now there are.  He is sinking in the polls like the proud Titanic sank into the cold ocean.

But in a way, Donald is lucky compared to Hillary.  The fact that he is facing public humiliation now (and almost certainly a huge dose of humiliating defeat on November 8^th) actually gives him an opportunity to humble himself, call out to God, and repent.  God has forgiven far worse evil. 

It is those who continue to appear to get away with their sin and who die “fat and happy” who are going to face the most terrifying consequences of sin.

Example 2:  Our Nation

We have the worst choice of presidential candidates that I can recall.  And we live in a democracy.  We (the citizens of our nation) actually chose these two.  And just as the flooding of a river is fairly predictable, so are the results of our foolishness.

Clinton will almost certainly win the election.  She will most likely keep her promise to appoint evil judges to the Supreme Court (and throughout the Federal judiciary).  These judges will continue, and mostly likely accelerate, the immoral liberal agenda.  Most likely sexual immorality will increase, the government will promote more killing of unborn babies, and Biblical Christians will face increasing levels of discrimination and persecution.  Also, the growing pile of national debt will eventually catch up with us.

What sins have led to this flood of evil overflowing its banks and bringing suffering and destruction?  There’s a long list.  Materialism.  Widespread sexual immorality of all types. The flood of pornography is far worse than the flooding caused by the hurricane.  Pride.  Pride is a terrible sin.

Then there is this painful reality:  many of the people who chose Donald to be the candidate for the Republican Party identify themselves as Christians.  Both public surveys and my personal observations indicate that many of these “Christians” were not deeply rooted in Christ.  Undoubtedly some are not truly saved, and others are saved but were vulnerable to being misled by a conman like Trump.  And why were they vulnerable?  Because they were not devoted to fellowship in a local church, prayer, and Bible reading.  Without being rooted in these means of grace they were easily swept away by the raging floods of deception.  They claim Jesus as their Lord, yet they built their house on the sand (Matthew 7:21, Matthew 7:26). 

What Can We Do?

Keep trusting God!  He will never fail us (Isaiah 51:6).

Don’t give up and don’t give in.  God will graciously and richly reward all who remain true to Him through difficult times (Matthew 5:12, John 1:8, Revelation 22:12).

Understand that suffering for Christ is normal (2 Timothy 3:12).  If true Christians suffer for Christ we should give thanks that we have been considered worthy to follow in His steps (Acts 5:41).

Keep praying and loving your neighbor and using your gifts to build up your local church and shine the truth of Jesus (Ephesians 4:16).  God may bless us with a large scale revival and spiritual awakening.  Even if He does not, through you, God will win more people to Christ.  They will receive the gift of eternal life.

Continue to rejoice in Christ (Philippians 4:40).  The storm will pass quickly and then the bright clear day of eternal glory will dawn!

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .