The floods of the past few weeks in Queensland have left an indelible imprint on us.

So, as believers, how are we to respond to these events?

First, we must never forget that though we live in a fallen world God has acted definitively and lovingly to overcome the effects of the fall. He sent Christ to this world to die for us. He gave the greatest sacrifice of all so that we might live. Our God is a God of love.

Our God cares. He mourns over sin. He feels our pain. He knows when we hurt. He is a High Priest who can empathise with us. Our pain is His pain. And for this reason – God acted by dying for us.

Second, as Christians, we should mourn for those who suffer. Weep with the living. Feel anger at living in a fallen world. We should pray for those affected, the relief workers and the leaders. Give to help them recover. Show the fruits of Christian love.

Third, never forget that the peaceful death of a man of ninety in bed surrounded by his children and grandchildren but without Christ is a tragedy. And a twenty-five year old woman who dies in a flood yet knows Christ – this is a triumph.

Fourth, as Jesus used the tragedies of Pilate’s massacre and the tower of Siloam to call for repentance – so too must we call for repentance. Men and women are open now to the truth in a way they won’t be in a few weeks time. They are thinking about eternity. They see their own mortality. They are asking – Why? And we have the answers.

Fifth, as Christians – we are not shaken by tragedies in the same way as others. We expect the disasters in a fallen world. But we know that He has come to overcome the world.

Sixth, the magnitude of such disasters only magnifies the glory of the cross. Christ overcame sin and death. Christ has defeated the world and the devil. And as those who know and love the Lord, we glory in the cross.

In Christ the senselessness of this fallen world makes sense.

In Christ the evil of this fallen world will be undone.

In Christ there is hope and peace and love.

And this is our message to a fallen world.