Devastation in Japan

A miracle: 65 year old tsunami victim, floating on the roof of his house,

rescued from 10 miles out at sea.

Miracles: like you, I am praying for more of these. These are the stories of grace within the larger story of suffering and devastation. And where there is God, there is grace. Where there is suffering, there is God. He hears the prayer of the brokenhearted.

There was a time in history when this kind of catastrophe would be viewed as anger and punishment from the gods. In modern times, people simply say that this devastation proves there is no God. But Jesus prepared us when He said, "In this world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world". This world is broken, deteriorating, and sentenced to decay and death. This tsunami is part of that process. But God's love is steadfast, even in the midst of this terrible tragedy. We are all His beloved children and we know that His love never fails. Even in suffering, He is present and at work.

Two of my friends wrote about Japan today. Robin's post, "Imagine", invites us to ponder what the Japanese are waking up to this morning. Rather than looking away, or saying, "I don't want to think about it", this post encourages us to take some time to think about our friends on the other side of the world who are suffering so intensely right now. Karen posted two prayers today that hit the heart of the matter, and you can offer them up to God on behalf of Japan by reading HERE.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surge.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.