It's an ill wind

There is an old saying “it’s an ill wind that blows no good.” Well we have had an ill wind blowing across the UK recently, bringing with it tons of ash from a volcano in Iceland. The outcome of this is that thousands of people have been stranded abroad and thousands more been prevented from going on holiday – I am one of the latter. Instead of sitting in my study typing, I should be sitting on a ship in the Mediterranean and anticipating a visit to Ephesus and to Athens.

I have yet to find out about anyone who claims this event has brought them good. Time will tell if the old saying proves true. I believe it will.

More importantly for me is that Romans 8:28 states: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This I believe to be true and I look back over the years and see how it has worked out in my life. I also believe in the truth of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The volcano eruption is being described as an act of God – and so it is. It is God who orders these events (Job 37 and 38 makes this clear). The eruption is no accident, no freak of nature, no product of human intervention. God has done it – and done it for a purpose. I don’t know what that is – nor am I going to make a suggestion!

I’m disappointed not to be where I planned to be – but I am happy that God knows, that He plans, that He understands, that He is in control of the forces of nature and of my life. As the old hymn says: “I am not skilled to understand, what God has willed what God has planned, I only know at his right hand is one who is my Saviour.”