Our Trust

On this day in 1883, four detonations took place over the course of five hours at Krakatoa, a volcanic island between Java and Sumatra (in what today is Indonesia). The blasts could be heard 3,000 miles away, and they ejected ash to a height of 50 miles. In the aftermath, intensely hot debris fell for miles around.

As a result of the blasts, huge waves were produced, one of which towered to more than 135 feet. Traveling at hundreds of miles per hour, these waves rippled in mighty torrents throughout the world’s oceans.

Of the 36,000 people who died in this catastrophe, all but about 1,000 were killed by water. Krakatoa, which had been an island with a peak 2,600 feet tall, was completely destroyed.

As that day began, the people on Krakatoa and the surrounding islands assumed life would continue as normal. There was no warning that explosions of this magnitude were going to take place and bring widespread destruction.

As all of us can attest, life is full of surprises. The Bible describes how circumstances can change at any time. It also warns us not to put our trust in human beings or in anything else on earth, for “they are as frail as breath.”

In your life, remember that change is inevitable. Movements and trends will come and go. The things of this earth will fade away. People will fall short of your expectations.

But you can depend on God! Place your trust in Him.