As we arrived the fire fighters where still around. Extinguishing what
was left of a blazing fire that raged through the bottom camp of the
Red Hill community. As we walked through the camp there was the
lingering smell of burnt households and livestock. We where just
overwhelmed by what we saw. The hole bottom camp was burnt to the ground. People had lost everything. We asked a resident, if anyone got hurt? He replied, no, that the fire happened when most people were at work.
Deut 4:24 For the Lord is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
The week preceding the fire. We where discussing the character of God. And this is what we came upon. That God is fire.
As the wind fed the fire it blazed and raged through the mountains of the cape
peninsula. We were at the other community, Ocean View, Praying and asking God to please intervene. Knowing that God is fire we asked Him to not destroy peoples houses.
So when I arrived at Red Hill, and saw the devastation. I wondered by myself why did God destroy this camp?
For ten days we have been working at Red Hill. Mostly just
coordinating the people,
handing out basic building materials and
helping put back up there informal shelters. The last coupe of days
I've mostly been involved in distributing food and clothes. But in my
heart I still asked, why?
And He said, Go forth and stand on the mountain before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains, and broke the rocks in pieces before Jehovah. But Jehovah was not in the wind. And after the wind was an earthquake, but Jehovah was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake was a fire, but Jehovah was not in the fire. And after the fire was a still, small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12
And in that I think I found my answer. That it was not God himself that
destroyed Red Hill. But rather He allowed it to happen so that people
might hear His voice.
Regards
Anthony