My heart is heavy for the people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama who are suffering today from Katrina’s fury. Last October I was in Gulf Port, MS for business and stayed at the Grand Casino on the gulf coast. The sea swallowed it. I think of all the people who served me during my visit there. I think of the shattered lives of my customers. As I sought God for these poor souls, He took me to the following Scripture and spoke hope to my grieving heart, affirming my desire to know Him more.
Habakkuk 3: 10, 15-19
10Torrents of water swept by;
the deep roared and lifted its waves on high.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
churning the great waters.
16 I heard and my heart pounded,
my lips quivered at the sound;
decay crept into my bones,
and my legs trembled.
Yet I will wait patiently for the day of calamity
to come on the nation invading us.
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and
the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
Isaiah 51:
15 For I am the LORD your God,
who churns up the sea so that its waves roar—
the LORD Almighty is his name.
Lord God, Almighty,
I am in awe of Your strength and power. As I look upon the death and destruction in this great nation, I see Your might and majesty. You are the Sovereign Lord who tosses the sea and makes its waves rumble. I watched in horror as torrents of water swept by, devouring people and possessions like a hungry lion. Nothing remains but You, Lord God Almighty.
You have shown me that power, prestige and possessions could not save one soul. In the end, the storm destroyed everything regardless of status. Everyone is equally hungry, homeless and helpless. The only thing that matters is knowing You, Jesus. Stripped of everything, You are the only One thing left to cling to. You have taught me to hold loosely to my comforts and possessions so that I can cheerfully bear up under my agonizing cross of affliction.
Fill me Jehovah, to overflowing with more of Jesus. In the midst of catastrophe, I want to delight in my salvation. When I am empty and poor, I desire to be full and rich of Jesus joy. Sitting on a heap of ruins, with all my earthly comforts gone, I want to be able to praise and worship Your glorious name. You are the One and Only True God, my Savior.
God, I lift up the victims of destruction to Your holy name. Supply them with Your amazing grace. Comfort them with Your sweet Spirit. Draw them near to You. Save them by Your mighty hand. Be their shelter and comfort. Strengthen them through these tough times. Give them patient endurance during the difficult days ahead. Enlarge their hearts so that they will see You in the midst of their losses and crosses. May they find healing balm for every wound in Your all-sufficient name. Be a fragrant ointment for their sad and sick souls.
We are a nation perplexed and anguished by the damage from the raging sea. Terror and trepidation are causing people to wonder what is going on in the world. Now more than ever, we need to know You as Jehovah, the great I AM. We need to believe You are sufficient because You are All that is left. God, save the people! Redeem them from their misery! Revive us, as a nation, O Lord!
I see You coming in great power and glory. Your kingdom is near! Heaven and earth may pass away, but You will last forever – Jehovah, my great and unchanging Lord. I believe You because of Jesus. Amen.
While we can see the devastating storms of nature, there are also unseen storms of the heart that cause turmoil and wreck havoc in our lives. What storms are you facing? Do you know the Lord as Jehovah, the great I AM? Can you let go of your "stuff" and fully rely on His power? Recognize that you are powerless. He is the Only thing that matters.
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