Haiti
50 Thousand. Red Cross estimates of the total number killed by the recent earthquake in Haiti could reach 50,000 people.
The losses are staggering, especially in what is classified not as a 3rd world country but a 5th
world country because of extreme poverty. I’ve never been there, but I’ve spoken with a few people who have made trips to Haiti. One woman who worked for World Relief in Boise some years ago described the scene in this way: “With my own eyes I saw a child fighting with a rat for a rotten piece of fruit . . . seeing that changed me forever.”
While aid pours in from all over to help Haitians during this tragedy, perhaps you are wondering why something like this could happen. These are tough questions. The why question is pretty difficult to ascertain.
Jesus didn’t shy away from tough questions. Consider what he says in Matthew 24:
“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in
various places. All these are the beginning of birth
pains.”
The lesson as we see these signs of the end continue to repeat is simple: be ready. We live in a sinful world. Thanks to the devil bringing sin and death into this world, everything is tainted, cracked and broken. But events such as the earthquake in Haiti remind us that Jesus will return. We are encouraged, even in times of tragedy, knowing that these are signs from a sin-touched world that the day of Jesus’ return has just gotten closer by one more event, one more day, one more sign.
Reconciling the concept of a loving God with catastrophic events is challenging at times like these. Job struggled with the same question and reasoned “shall we accept blessing from God an not trouble?” The truths we can cling to is the lesson of these signs: Be ready. Christians live every day as if it were their last—giving careful attention to our relationship with Him as well as each other. God cares for us and will bring us through every hardship we face, strengthening us and drawing us closer to him.
In the face of the disaster in Haiti, please pray for those whose lives will be changed forever. Pray for their souls, that each person may go to the Lord for help and support during a time such as this. You also have an opportunity to use this opportunity to re-evaluate your priorities in the coming light of Christ’s glorious return. The day will come when Jesus comes again. Be ready.
Prayer idea: Ask God for a renewed appreciation for his act of saving you and assurance of sins forgiven and a future without end when he comes again.
Have a blessed week!
--Pastor Dan
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If you have any ideas, suggestions,
or feedback, please e-mail me:
peaceinjesus@clearwire.net
or
pastor@peaceinjesus4vietnamese.org