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A massive power outage struck Spain, Portugal, and part of France on Monday, grinding daily life to a halt for over 60 million people. 

The blackout hit just around noon local time, knocking out traffic lights, airports, trains, metro systems, ATMs, and hospitals—bringing major cities like Madrid, Lisbon, and Barcelona to a standstill.

Power was almost fully restored by yesterday morning—with schools reopening, traffic easing, and public transport sputtering back to life—but the cause of one of Europe’s most severe blackouts largely remains a mystery. Authorities initially suspected a cyberattack but later ruled it out; Portugal’s grid operator has suggested a “rare atmospheric phenomenon” may have caused high-voltage power lines to oscillate and break.

The European Commission has promised a “thorough investigation,” and Spain has promised to take “all necessary measures” to prevent another blackout.

CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
The fragility of manmade systems reminds us of God’s steadiness. Our true security isn’t found in any infrastructure of this world but in Christ and the promise of the Kingdom to come.  

“‘For I will create new heavens and a new earth… The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like cattle, but the serpent’s food will be dust! They will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,’ says the LORD.” 
Isaiah 65:17, 25 (CSB) (read full passage)