See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. -Hebrews 12:25, 26 (KJV)
For the last two weeks people around the world have watched the horrifying scenes coming from Japan as the result of the earthquake and tsunami. Trying to get our minds around the level of destruction is almost impossible. We see the images and we listen to the accounts from the survivors, yet we cannot fully grasp the depth of what they have been through. Our hearts go out to them, we pray for them, and we as a nation are willing to help in any way possible. When we hear reports of entire towns and villages wiped from the earth, our sense of balance and order are shattered by the chaos of it all. We hope and pray somehow the people affected will find the strength and power to pick up the pieces of their lives and go on.
One comforting image I saw was of people gathered together for prayer. The report did not tell to what or whom they were praying, yet I earnestly hope their prayers were directed to the Living God. Through Christ the people of Japan can find comfort, healing, and hope.
Are we fully aware of how fortunate we are as a nation to have been spared such calamity and destruction? The United States has areas across the country which may erupt and cause devastation similar to what we saw in Japan. Not too far from where I live in southwest Virginia is the New Madrid Fault, and scientists have been predicting for years that a major earthquake is imminent. So far this has not come to pass, yet we know it could happen any day. Let us not grow complacent and believe such disaster could not happen here, for we too could feel the earth shake as other countries have. Now is the time to look to the Lord and trust Him.
The plea of God’s Word is to not refuse the One who speaks – the Lord God Almighty. God has provided refuge through Jesus Christ our Lord. The coming days can be faced with faith and certainty the Lord is with us and will not leave us to suffer alone in the world. Look to Christ, stand firm in the days to come, and claim the promise of peace in the Lord.
God holds the world in His hands. Therefore, He holds us as well, and we are safe in the hands of God.
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