Scorched Earth

                November 28^th 2016 was one of the worst days in the history of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  That was the day that thousands of acres of beautiful mountain land was

burnt in a large forest fire.  A fire that was started by two individuals for no reason other than wanting to start a fire.  These two individuals destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, cost the city of Gatlinburg in tourist revenue and tragically caused the loss of lives.  There was so much scorched earth in the wake of these fires that it should take years for everything to recover.

                But the beauty of God’s great creation is that it can turn tragedy and turn it into a work of beauty.  Already this spring, the trees are starting to bloom, the grass is starting to grow back and the cities are rebuilding with new buildings.  It is amazing to see trees with the black soot several feet up and new growth coming out above the burnt bark.  There is green grass sprouting in the places where the ground is still black.  So because of the

fires that destroyed the ground, there will emerge great growth that will be as beautiful as ever.  God’s glory will once again be seen by all the visitors of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park in the very near future.

                The wildfires are also a metaphor for the lives of so many sinners in the world.  They have taken what was once a beautiful and promising life and allowed sin to scorch the landscape of their life.  Sin, just like the fires, burnt everything in their lives.  It destroyed the most beautiful part of their existence, their personal relationship with God.  Sin has burnt down so many of the avenues and bridges people build in hopes of making their life have meaning and purpose.  They are living in a world full of darkness all around them.

                God’s creation also extends to every person today.  Just as the trees and grass are starting to have new growth, the sinner has an opportunity to have new growth as well.  The sinner was shown the path to rebuilding their relationship with God when Jesus was put to death on the cross.  He made atonement for everyone of us on that day.  That day also planted the seeds for new growth when the

fires of sin ravage our lives.  As we allow the Son to shine through us, the splendor of God’s mighty creation starts to have new life among the soot and ashes all around us.  Over the course of time, the new growth will completely cover up all the scorched earth that we once had.

                Lord, tonight I pray for anyone that has allowed sin to burn in them for so long that they feel like they have lost all hope.  I pray for the redemptive power of Jesus on any one that feels they are too far removed from God.  I pray that they realize there is always hope as long as they are alive.  Lord thank you for making a way for us to come back to You and realizing that You created everything to have new life after the fires of sin have burnt us.  Thank You for the healing power of the blood of Jesus.  Lord, I also want to pray for everyone affected by the wildfires in East Tennessee.  The fires destroyed a lot of things, but You are the creator of all and Your beauty will be seen again in the mountains.  In Your precious name, Amen.