Heartbreaking by Lane Jordan Burday

So do not fear, for I am with you: do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

My fondest memory of my childhood is summer camp. I went to camp every summer from the age of 12 on, and at 16, I was a CIT—Counselor in Training, and then a counselor. My sisters went to the same camp as both my daughters did!

The camp, Camp Juliette Low, was founded by Juliette Low herself. She was the founder of the Girl Scouts and walked the land, loved the rock formations, the gorgeous forest, and the natural creek and water hole for swimming.

The camp is located on the top of Lookout Mountain, Georgia, so the views are magnificent. On one side is Tennessee, and on the other side is Georgia. The camp is so beloved that a reunion is held at the start of each summer, where previous campers can return, even with their families, and relive their camp experience. We can sign up for horseback riding, canoeing, sailing, crafts, archery, and even a ropes course.

All the tent-cabins bordered the creek, so during rest time and at night, one could hear the gentle flow of the creek.

Camp is supposed to provide a happy memory. However, when I heard about the devastation and loss of the precious campers’ lives this last week at Camp Mystic in central Texas, I was in shock and dismay. Tears flowed down my face as I read report after report about the loss of the beautiful lives in such a tragic way. It’s been said that the flood was a thousand-year flood—nothing could have stopped this tragedy unless it had occurred during the daytime, and perhaps the adults could have intervened to save them.

Yet, any time a tragedy like this happens, we ask, “God, why? These were innocent children and wonderful adults who were just at camp.

And so, I go back to God’s Word, and I see that Satan is the prince of the air. For some reason, God has given him dominion over this earth. Here are some verses that may help explain why we have disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Satan is Prince of the Air and will do all he can to destroy everything that God loves:

In which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

(Ephesians 2:2)

And concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged (John 16:11).

In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

(2 Corinthians 4:4)

Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out (John 12:31).

I will not speak much more with you, for the ruler of the world is coming, and he has nothing in Me… (John 14:30).

You may also ask, “Why didn’t God stop it?” I don’t know, nor does anyone else, this side of Heaven. But I do know we are in a battle between good and evil.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

We are in a war! A war where most of us don’t even realize the fight going on between good and evil. So we must pray! And mediate on the verses God has given us to comfort us in this battle:

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them: he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

(Psalms 34:17-18)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4).

And I know, without a shadow of doubt, that God is on His throne, He is in control, and nothing happens without a great purpose in it.

We just need to get through this life, with faith, until we see Jesus face to face!

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