Blue sky

Images of blue sky and a raging torrent of destruction fill my screen in recent days. 

Bringing back memories. 

There was blue sky when a tsunami roared into Aceh. Then pulled out. Taking with it precious lives along with whole buildings.

Today these scenes are not a coastal city, but a mountain haven. 

Nepal. Villages built along the meandering river wiped out in a matter of minutes.

Blue sky mornings

There are many blue sky mornings around the world. Never giving a hint of what comes next.

In some places, war pushes in. Wreaking havoc. Death. Suffering.

In others, earthquakes bring down manmade buildings. Devastating cities and villages. Islands.

Sometimes the destruction is unexpected death or diagnosis.

Somewhere, someone faces the unthinkable. Always.

God with us

I walk under blue sky. But clouds move across. Block the sun. 

And I remember those suffering today. In Nepal and any number of places across the world.

Walking and talking with our Good Shepherd, I know. He’s the One we can trust in war zones and earthquake rubble. In unimaginable pain and loss, He is there. 

God with us. Present and compassionate. 

He knows the road when signposts disappear. 

Pray

Today, ask for His wisdom. Comfort. And provision.

Pray His sustaining grace and strength fills His children currently serving in disaster zones. 

Pray for those daily meeting immediate and longterm needs of the hurting. With hope and sacrificial love. 

“God is our refuge and strength,
a helper who is always found
in times of trouble.
Therefore we will not be afraid,
though the earth trembles
and the mountains topple
into the depths of the seas,
though its water roars and foams
and the mountains quake with its turmoil.” 
Psalm 46:1-3 CSB

Give

We give to Send Relief. They are providing practical help and true hope on the ground in many places around the world. All money given goes directly to help those suffering. 

How about you?

How have you seen God’s love and presence demonstrated in disasters and war zones? What is your prayer today for those suffering great loss?

Related

Hope during a tsunami – Helpless? – Stay the course – Moving through – Crisis – Broken pieces – Pain – Psalm 46 – Send Relief –