Thursday, September 21st, 2017

It seems like the Caribbean cannot catch a break this hurricane season, as Maria made landfall yesterday as a Category 4* storm, leaving more devastation in its path. The residents of those areas, hit by Irma and Harvey just in the last few weeks, were hit again by an even larger storm. One can only imagine the fear and suffering it caused. Sadly, this condition is not unique to those in the Caribbean, for whether it is back to back hurricanes or back to back financial or relational tragedy, we all will face times when we truly do suffer while on this earth. Suffering is not a permanent condition though, but merely a path to walk through. Just like a T-intersection, it always leads to a critical decision point. Will you turn to Jesus? In Romans, it says, "...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Today, pray for those affected by Hurricane Maria and the tragic earthquake in Mexico City, that they might rejoice in their sufferings and draw closer to the Lord in this time of terrible earthly circumstances. Also, pray that God's word and grace be the lamp unto your feet and light unto your path in your days ahead, that you may walk in His light no matter where that path may lead.

"Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." -- Romans 5:3-5 ESV

*Correction from original publishing. Maria made landfall as a Category 4 storm, not 5.