The whirlwind in the Caribbean reminds us that this planet is not the safe place it was at the beginning of time when even death itself was unknown. Death arrived together with great upheavals of nature through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. However, despite these judgements, we must thank God for all His goodness to us in the amazing stability of the earth, the ordering of the seasons and the provision of our food and fresh air. But when we see His awesome power in the lightning flash and whirlwind, we are wise to humbly admit our total dependence upon Him for everything, even our power to think. Charles Spurgeon, one of the most brilliant brains in the 19th century said, “He that has no sense of weakness, has a weakness in his sense!”
The word whirlwind occurs 29 times in the Bible and the Oxford English Dictionary focuses on this one famous phrase, “They have sown the wind, and they will reap the whirlwind.” [ Hosea 8:7 ]. The dictionary then defines the meaning as follows, “To indulge in reckless wickedness or folly and suffer the disastrous consequences.” Whirlwinds draw their energy from the surfaces of warm oceans or hot deserts but there are also moral whirlwinds. Some people sow hot winds of bad temper that produce whirlwinds of hatred and revenge. Others sow wind bags full of hot gossip that reap a whirlwind of destructive words.
On another level many allow themselves to be swept off their feet by every kind of pleasure until they are sucked into a whirlwind of unsatisfied desires that leaves them in a whirl of frustration and exhaustion. The Bible says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” [ Psalm 37:4 ] If your life’s in a whirl, ask Jesus to give you His peace. [ John 16:33 ]
