Reflections

⁴Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins,
 They will raise up the former devastations;
 And they will repair the ruined cities,
 The desolations of many generations.
⁵Strangers will stand and pasture your flocks,
 And foreigners will be your farmers and your vinedressers.
⁶But you will be called the priests of the LORD;
 You will be spoken of as ministers of our God
 You will eat the wealth of nations,
 And in their riches you will boast.
 ⁷Instead of your shame you will have a double portion,
 And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion
Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land,
Everlasting joy will be theirs.  Isaiah 61:4-7

This week the nation of Haiti was devastated by a huge earthquake.  Buildings, homes, hospitals, schools, stores, etc. collapsed and hundreds of thousands of people are injured or feared dead.  The people of Haiti are suffering and in desperate need of help.  The international community has responded and many people are coming to help in the search and rescue efforts and in treating the injured.  Also, people are donating cash and sending supplies.  Sadly, many are missing and fear dead.  The death toll continues to rise each day.

Even though many are still waiting for aid, the response has been enormous.  So many people want to help the nation of Haiti.  There is so much compassion and love by others.  Now imagine how God feels.  God created every person living in Haiti.  He knows them by name and even the number of hairs on their head.  God knows and feels their pain and He has not forgotten or forsaken them.

We cannot make the mistake of judging Haiti or proclaiming they had this coming.  It dishonors God because God has not judged Haiti.  Instead as Christians we need to offer people hope.  We can stand in the gap and proclaim what the bible says.  We can make the above confession about Haiti – we can decree that Haiti will be a great nation and one that fears and serves God.  It is what God desires and the gates of hell will not prevail.

Saints let us continue to pray for Haiti and proclaim the favor of the Lord upon the nation.