Posted:
Based on “Step out in Faith; Sing out in Thanks”
by Pastor Mark Balmer;
1/16-17/10,
Message #MB404; Daily Devotional #4 - “Prayers for Haiti”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Our eyes and our hearts are turned to Haiti as the island country faces a devastation that is unimaginable to most of us. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina pales in comparison to the death toll and destruction that occurred in a matter of minutes.
In moments such as these it is not uncommon to hear people ask why God allows such disasters to happen. But as Christ followers, we know that it is often in times like this that we see Him do His most amazing works. This is why we often see people who profess agnosticism turn to prayer, and lost people come to Christ. The battle being fought in Haiti may well be a battle which is being fought in the supernatural realm (Ephesians 6:10-12). It may be a battle we cannot see, but it is a battle we can be assured that God has already won.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Haiti is a country which, prior to the recent earthquake, was already desperately impoverished. Politicians now acknowledge that it has been a country which has been virtually ignored in spite of its well-known need. The lack of natural resources and goods available for trade accounts for a large part of Haiti's poverty. The import to export ratio of goods in dollar value is approximately 3 to 1.
Diseases which are easily eradicated in the United States are common there, because of the lack of adequate health care and clean water. With the exception of when we have become aware of illegal immigrants who live in the United States, Haiti is a country most of us have overlooked.
The recent earthquake has brought worldwide attention to Haiti and raised awareness of need, which is almost incomprehensible. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) Instead of putting our hands up in a gesture of hopelessness, this is a time when we need to be lifting them and looking up to the Lord in prayer.
For those who are fasting, we could take the money we are saving on our grocery bills and contribute to the needs of the people. Instead of looking at the enormous amount of work that needs to be done, we need to start looking at the work that God is doing. Already, millions of much needed dollars have been amassed to help these struggling people to recover.
Churches that have never shown interest before are now planning long term missionary commitments to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of survivors. Orphans are being offered homes in the United States. Our own media, which has in the past has shunned public worship and prayer, now openly seek out people who are turning to God for hope.
An NBA player from Haiti appeared in a news report openly praying for his missing relatives. Haitians who are singing hymns, turning to God in prayer, and reciting verses from the Gospel are seen as having the strength of soldiers in battle, just as God’s strength was poured out on King Jehoshaphat’s army through the men he appointed to sing God’s praises (2 Chronicles 20:20-23). Today, reporters freely and openly use the name of God and encourage citizens of the United States to pray.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): It is not uncommon to see the world turn to God when disaster occurs, only to go back to a secular life once the event has been forgotten. Both Biblically and currently, we tend to forget to include God in our lives when life is at its best. We will no longer see public displays of worship and prayer once the crisis is forgotten and Haiti is no longer the central focus of the news media. But be challenged to keep your eye on Haiti once the world pulls out and watch where God is working. The media will forget.
We will go back to our normal everyday lives until the next disaster strikes. Looking back at the past week, in hindsight, the call to fast by our Pastor appeared to be prophetic in nature. The disaster in Haiti is an example of the world events we were called to pray for. Man will try to repair Haiti, but the true work will be done when we turn her over to God. When disaster strikes, our first response is often to pray for help, but in truth our prayers for help are prayers of surrender. We surrender so that God may take up our battle for us. This is God’s plan. But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory... (2 Chronicles 20:17, NLT)
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Samuel 22:17-19; Luke 21:11; Jeremiah 46:28
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