Krakatoa

The heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. — 2 Peter 3:10

In 1883, the greatest volcanic explosion in modern history took place. Krakatoa, an island volcano along the Indonesian arc, shot 6 cubic miles of soil, rock, vegetation, and animal and human life 24 miles up into the stratosphere. Its shockwave traveled around the world seven times, and its debris fell as far as Madagascar — more than 2,000 miles away!

At the time of Krakatoa’s explosion, Captain Sampson of the British vessel Norham Castle was nearby and wrote in his log: “I am writing this blind in pitch darkness. We are under continual rain of pumice-stone and dust. So violent are the explosions that the ear-drums of over half my crew have been shattered . . . I am convinced that the Day of Judgment has come.”

Captain Sampson believed that the world was coming to an end. The explosion does seem to fit 2 Peter 3:10, “The heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat.” As terrible as Krakatoa was, though, it did not signal the end of the world.

Crisis has a way of shaking us out of complacency. It reminds us this world is not our home and encourages us to be godly (v. 11). When it feels as if our personal world is coming to an end, we should focus on living for eternity. — Dennis Fisher

A prayer

Lord, my desire is to live for You whether circumstances are good or bad.

Help me to focus on Your purpose.

Show me today in Your Word what You want me to do.

READ: 2 Peter 3:1-13

Trusting God can turn a crisis into a treasure.

The Bible in one year:

• Ezekiel 40-41

• 2 Peter 3