16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
We are seeing and hearing the stories of people who are suffering in Texas, as well as other areas around our world. In a troubled world, we, as the Church, the body of Christ, have the unique opportunities to bring hope and tangible relief. In the middle of adversity or outright crisis, we can turn to the Lord and trust Him, if we are the ones in trouble, or help others to look for Him, if they are in need. Ultimately, He can provide peace and answers as we are directed to seek His face.
There's a passage in 2nd Corinthians 1 that is highly relevant, when we see the reports coming out of Texas and the human suffering that is occurring there:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
The images that are emerging out of the Houston area are indeed chilling. A story earlier today from the Mashable website contained the estimate that 11 trillion gallons of water have been unleashed on the state of Texas. The article also includes a prediction that another 16 trillion gallons could fall on the state. The National Weather Service tweeted out, "This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced."
A Samaritan's Purse story said that up to 50 inches of rain could fall by Wednesday. The website quotes ministry President Franklin Graham, who said: “My heart continues to be heavy for the good people of South Texas as they begin to deal with the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey—and the flood waters are still rising in many areas,” adding, “We have pre-positioned Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief trucks and materials outside Dallas and will be moving into the hardest hit areas as soon as we are given the all-clear by the state authorities. We hope that over the next few months there will be thousands of volunteers who will want to come and help those whose homes have been damaged by this destructive storm.”
The story reports that more than 1,000 people have been rescued, "mainly from rooftops." That number has swelled to 2,000. The ministry organization is activating churches to partner with them to reach out to the victims:
Southern Baptists are gearing up. A Baptist Press article includes a statement from Frank S. Page, SBC Executive Committee president and CEO: "Our prayers go out to the people of Texas in the massive flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. Our Baptist disaster relief units will be the first on the scene to minister in a variety of ways. I call on Southern Baptists to pray and be ready to assist through giving and going. God bless Texas."
J.A. Medders, lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Tomball, TX, writes on The Gospel Coalition website: "I see Christlike instincts cresting and rising in our city." He relates:
In this ongoing disaster situation, we can certainly evaluate our response. And, we can be reminded that even in affliction, God is at work. There are those who are seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to provide relief and perhaps even provide a rescue. When there is trial, the Church can open up its heart to be a shelter.
We can approach crises from a macro and a micro sense - God certainly wants us to be mindful of the needs on a grander scale, and be ready to respond Biblically, with compassion, if He calls us to be involved. But, there are crises that may affect our lives, members of our families, as well as those in our communities. It is good to be sensitive, as the Holy Spirit leads, so that we can represent Christ well in providing comfort in time of adversity.
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There's a passage in 2nd Corinthians 1 that is highly relevant, when we see the reports coming out of Texas and the human suffering that is occurring there:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
The images that are emerging out of the Houston area are indeed chilling. A story earlier today from the Mashable website contained the estimate that 11 trillion gallons of water have been unleashed on the state of Texas. The article also includes a prediction that another 16 trillion gallons could fall on the state. The National Weather Service tweeted out, "This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced."
A Samaritan's Purse story said that up to 50 inches of rain could fall by Wednesday. The website quotes ministry President Franklin Graham, who said: “My heart continues to be heavy for the good people of South Texas as they begin to deal with the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey—and the flood waters are still rising in many areas,” adding, “We have pre-positioned Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief trucks and materials outside Dallas and will be moving into the hardest hit areas as soon as we are given the all-clear by the state authorities. We hope that over the next few months there will be thousands of volunteers who will want to come and help those whose homes have been damaged by this destructive storm.”
The story reports that more than 1,000 people have been rescued, "mainly from rooftops." That number has swelled to 2,000. The ministry organization is activating churches to partner with them to reach out to the victims:
We’re reaching out to partner churches, from Victoria, where our first disaster relief unit made its first deployment in 1998, all the way to Houston. Once we identify the areas of greatest need, we will secure host church locations and begin deploying volunteers to physically and spiritually minister to homeowners.Luther Harrison of the organization stated: "When people come home, let’s have the church be there, walking with them, hand in hand, supporting them, showing them Christ’s compassion." Samaritan's Purse is working hand-in-hand with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, which is involved in bring hope to people through Christ.
Southern Baptists are gearing up. A Baptist Press article includes a statement from Frank S. Page, SBC Executive Committee president and CEO: "Our prayers go out to the people of Texas in the massive flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Harvey. Our Baptist disaster relief units will be the first on the scene to minister in a variety of ways. I call on Southern Baptists to pray and be ready to assist through giving and going. God bless Texas."
J.A. Medders, lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Tomball, TX, writes on The Gospel Coalition website: "I see Christlike instincts cresting and rising in our city." He relates:
Civilians are assembling their kayaks and big ol’ Texas-style trucks to save their neighbors. Sacrifice in a time of severe weather.
Church buildings—like that of Houston Northwest Church led by my friend, pastor Steve Bezner—are becoming staging-areas for relief. The body of Christ is opening her arms to help her neighbors.His church has assembled a response team with people eager to help, who have "boats, trucks, chainsaws, trailers, cookies, muscles, time, and prayers ready for those hit hard by Harvey." Medders also shares that:
Like many churches across the city, our members are checking in with each other, opening their homes, offering to help however they can. They are serving each other, sacrificing for each other; they are ready to love their neighbors. These are the kinds of instincts you hope to see. Apathy and disinterest are demonic in a time of disaster.Medders suggests three ways to respond: pray, give, and serve. Regarding prayer, he writes:
Let the pictures you see online serve as kindling for your prayers. The Father is listening. The Son is mediating. The Spirit is helping. When you see a picture, stop and cry out to heaven. Father, help them. You said faith can move mountains, so, Father, move this storm.In his article, he references verses from the first chapter of 2nd Corinthians.
In this ongoing disaster situation, we can certainly evaluate our response. And, we can be reminded that even in affliction, God is at work. There are those who are seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to provide relief and perhaps even provide a rescue. When there is trial, the Church can open up its heart to be a shelter.
We can approach crises from a macro and a micro sense - God certainly wants us to be mindful of the needs on a grander scale, and be ready to respond Biblically, with compassion, if He calls us to be involved. But, there are crises that may affect our lives, members of our families, as well as those in our communities. It is good to be sensitive, as the Holy Spirit leads, so that we can represent Christ well in providing comfort in time of adversity.
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