How blessed you will be {Praying for Oklahoma}
By now, I'm sure you've all seen the news footage of the devastating storms that ripped through Oklahoma Sunday in to Monday. And I'm sure we've all cried a few heartbreaking tears trying to imagine what people there are experiencing. Our minds can't even come close to comprehending devastation like this. Hearts around the country and the world are aching for all those affected.
This morning I saw a news report about a family sifting through what was left of their home and property that was destroyed in Sunday's tornado just outside of Shawnee, OK. There was a photo that someone had snapped from the debris - a photo of a tattered bible opened to Isaiah 32. The news story focused on Isaiah 32:2 which reads, "Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm". After sitting and thinking about this for a bit, I opened up my bible to Isaiah 32 and read the verse for myself.
Isaiah 32 is about The Kingdom of Righteousness. I kept reading a bit further in the chapter and was overwhelmed with the power of this passage...especially given the circumstances:
While there are no words that can take away the hurt, and feelings of helplessness and insecurity the victims are experiencing right now, the best thing we can do as a body of believers is pray that each person affected is able to find and know the only source that can provide true peace. That bible wasn't opened up to this passage through sheer coincidence. And while it's easy for those of us from afar to say the people who survived are blessed, this passage reminds us that this is our temporary home – the eternal homes for those who have put their faith in Him will be filled with peace and confidence forever. How blessed we will be.
Praying for Oklahoma.
Want to help? {besides through prayer}
This morning I saw a news report about a family sifting through what was left of their home and property that was destroyed in Sunday's tornado just outside of Shawnee, OK. There was a photo that someone had snapped from the debris - a photo of a tattered bible opened to Isaiah 32. The news story focused on Isaiah 32:2 which reads, "Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm". After sitting and thinking about this for a bit, I opened up my bible to Isaiah 32 and read the verse for myself.
Isaiah 32 is about The Kingdom of Righteousness. I kept reading a bit further in the chapter and was overwhelmed with the power of this passage...especially given the circumstances:
"17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;As we continue to see the horrendous imagery from the storms and hear the life-altering stories from those who survived and those who lost loved ones, this passage screams out HOPE to all who believe in HIM and have put their trust in Him.
its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places,
in secure homes,
in undisturbed places of rest.
19 Though hail flattens the forest
and the city is leveled completely,
20 how blessed you will be"
While there are no words that can take away the hurt, and feelings of helplessness and insecurity the victims are experiencing right now, the best thing we can do as a body of believers is pray that each person affected is able to find and know the only source that can provide true peace. That bible wasn't opened up to this passage through sheer coincidence. And while it's easy for those of us from afar to say the people who survived are blessed, this passage reminds us that this is our temporary home – the eternal homes for those who have put their faith in Him will be filled with peace and confidence forever. How blessed we will be.
Praying for Oklahoma.
Want to help? {besides through prayer}
- Text FOOD to 32333 to donate $10 to the OKC food bank
- Text REDCROSS to 90999 gives $10 to disaster relief
- Text “STORM” to 80888 to make $10 donation thru Salvation Army
Comments
Post a Comment