Dried Up

​The earth is tilting? What? 
Pumping groundwater appears to have a greater consequence than ever previously thought. But now—thanks to a new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters--we can see that, in less than two decades, Earth has tilted 31.5 inches as a result of pumping groundwater. This equates to .24 inches of sea level rise.[1]
I’m unsure of the science of tying the earth’s tilt to pumping groundwater, but I know God is sometimes the primary cause of disasters and climate change.

Meditation
Joel 1:10-12--The fields are destroyed; the land grieves; indeed, the grain is destroyed; the new wine is dried up; and the olive oil fails. Be ashamed, you farmers, wail, you vinedressers, over the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field has perished. The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the date palm, and the apple—all the trees of the orchard—have withered. Indeed, human joy has dried up.
 
God was angry with Israel for turning its back on Him and embracing wickedness. So, He did three things. He allowed them to be conquered by foreign invaders, afflicted them with drought, and orchestrated locust invasions that completely denuded the land. Human joy dried up.
           
If you see a growing list of weather calamities, before you attribute them to man's hand, pay attention to Joel, Daniel, and John in Revelation.  “For the Day of the Lord is near and will come as devastation from the Almighty” (1:15b). If the earth is dried up, it is because God is fed up.  When people worship and honor Him, He blesses them.  When humanity turns its back on Him and delights in evil, He executes judgment.
           
If you see unhappy people, it is often not hard to find the cause.  The woman standing behind the Texas car rental counter has a reputation for crabby, unhelpful service. She foments ill will. Ironically, her name is Joy, but without Jesus, she’s dried up.  
             
Those who clench wicked agendas do not radiate peace, kindness, or goodwill. They poison what is pure and pollute what is pristine. They are like moldy oranges or brittle plastic—dried up. 
           
What is the solution?  “Even now—this is the Lord’s declaration—turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your clothes, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster” (2:12,13).   
           
Inspiration
“Far too many people think that conditions determine choices.  More often, choices determine conditions.”—John C. Maxwell in The 17 Essential Qualities Of A Team Player

©2023 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you want to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 
[1] https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a44287896/why-did-earth-tilt/