Haiti, a nation only 90 mile offshore of one of the most wealthy nations on earth has been devastated by an earthquake this week, in ways no other modern nation would face. Haiti not only had almost every building in her capital destroyed, but, unlike other nations, it doesn't have the resources to respond to this quake. It doesn't have ambulances, nor does it have running water or electricity in most of the nation. It doesn't have the equipment to remove the heavy concrete--which is everywhere. One bright spot in this tragedy is that the Haitian government which has largely ignored the plight of its own people for decades, has been totally crippled. No one knows at this time who has, and who has not survived, even among the cabinet. My prayer is that God perhaps has finally eliminated those who have held back the welfare of this people for so long. I believe when all is said and done more than 150,000 people will be dead. Many who are currently termed survivors, will not make it, since the distribution of water has been delayed by the air-traffic control problems at the airport, as well as the inability to easily get the supplies into the capital due to the main road into Port-au-Prince being blocked with concrete everywhere. Many, many more will die of dehydration, and disease long before the calvary finally comes. And this doesn't even take into account the hundreds of thousands dead and dying throughout the nation---as the relief effort is focused only on the capital at this time. This is a city that will literally need to be bulldozed, before it can ever be rebuilt. This, however is where hope lies. In bulldozing the current city, it would be possible to finally lay a sewerage system in this city---something it has never had before; to completely rebuild the infrastructure of this nation---with water, electricity and roads...To lay the groundwork for restoring Haiti to the beautiful nation it once was-and better--to match the spirit of its beautiful and resilient people.
This is what happens when someone is born again. God so shakes the foundations of life that nothing is left to rely upon in oneself. When looking over the ruin, that is our world, once God has said 'enough' to our sinfulness, and shaken us to the core by some unexpected tragedy.....we see nothing left that is worthy to build upon--all, ALL is worthless and vain. "There is much rubbish, and we ourselves are unable to rebuild......" quoted Nehemiah in 4:10. The hope comes, not in our own ability to rebuild our lives, but in someone else coming along and doing the rebuilding for us. But before rebulding can start, the ground must first be cleared of all rubble. Something new and even wonderful can now replace that which has been destroyed. A New Creation, can be made, from the most destitute soul.......Oh God, redeem Haiti, whom your beloved Son died to save, and restore to your throne. You promised your Son "the Nations as an Inheritance" (Psalm 2:8) Do not allow the devil to have the Inheritance of Jesus. She is His blood-bought people, as much as we are. Hear her cries this night...cries that have sounded in your ears for centuries, and ...Oh God, Come and redeem this nation for Jesus' sake, who loved her unto death. Have Pity Oh God, on 'the least of all these, His brethren' (Matt 25:40).......Amen....
This is what happens when someone is born again. God so shakes the foundations of life that nothing is left to rely upon in oneself. When looking over the ruin, that is our world, once God has said 'enough' to our sinfulness, and shaken us to the core by some unexpected tragedy.....we see nothing left that is worthy to build upon--all, ALL is worthless and vain. "There is much rubbish, and we ourselves are unable to rebuild......" quoted Nehemiah in 4:10. The hope comes, not in our own ability to rebuild our lives, but in someone else coming along and doing the rebuilding for us. But before rebulding can start, the ground must first be cleared of all rubble. Something new and even wonderful can now replace that which has been destroyed. A New Creation, can be made, from the most destitute soul.......Oh God, redeem Haiti, whom your beloved Son died to save, and restore to your throne. You promised your Son "the Nations as an Inheritance" (Psalm 2:8) Do not allow the devil to have the Inheritance of Jesus. She is His blood-bought people, as much as we are. Hear her cries this night...cries that have sounded in your ears for centuries, and ...Oh God, Come and redeem this nation for Jesus' sake, who loved her unto death. Have Pity Oh God, on 'the least of all these, His brethren' (Matt 25:40).......Amen....
Coll analogy!
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