Once again a catastrophic hurricane with almost unbelievable, devastating force has left billions of dollars of damage, thousands homeless, untold numbers dead, inconsolable survivors overwhelmed with grief, many injured without immediate medical attention, others trapped without water, food or shelter and a vast population left in shock from the hardest hit Bahamas all the way up the Eastern Seaboard from Florida to landfall on North Carolina’s Outer Banks into Virginia and Maryland and on up to Nova Scotia.
For those not affected by the storm, it is difficult if not impossible to wrap your mind around the extent of damage or personal loss that so many have experienced. We have lived with the trauma and drama of Hurricane Dorian for well over a week and we will live with its aftermath for years to come.
I have been reading Max Lucado’s book, “You’ll Get Through This,” and it could not be timelier. His book is based on the life experiences of Joseph as recorded in Genesis 37-50. Laura Story, Grammy Award-winning artist and writer says of Lucado’s writing, “It is not just Max reassuring us but him showing us who God is – a rescuer, a deliverer, who delights in the redemption of His people.”
Lucado’s message provokes thought, gives encouragement, reassurance and hope when we experience the storms of life and everything is out of our control but never out of God’s power to do good in the face of evil and life threatening situations. His words of comfort are worthy of our careful consideration. We do well to meditate and ponder the profound truth of God’s presence and love in the worst of times. Max Lucado writes –
You’ll get through this. It won’t be painless.
It won’t be quick. But God will use this mess for good.
Don’t be foolish or naïve. But don’t despair either.
With God’s help, you’ll get through this.
We need this Bible based message when things are out of control, when we are prone to ask, “Where was God in all of this?” We need this message when bad things happen to good people and when we find ourselves in shock, despair and speechless. There are moments in life when we may be at wits end. That is why I preached this past Sunday on the subject “But there is a God!” And that is why I encourage you to search the Scriptures to see how God has worked in the lives of people when things were out of their control. Max Lucado’s book can also help.
In His Love, Charles
