Daily Devotion for December 22, 2005

BE STRONG

 

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
 
I cannot but think that the tragedy that hurricane Katrina has caused is a sign that brings the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to mind.

 

I could even say that the hurricane itself was the first horse, followed by the one that took away the peace in our nation. The refugees, our own citizens, have seen the third horseman, who took away their food and shelter. Back in Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas, the fourth horseman, death, has taken many.

 

Why is this tragedy happening? I ask myself, ‘Is God judging our nation?

 

“Be strong!” say the scriptures. Stop hating each other. This is a time of tragedy, and we need to turn to others and treat each other as Jesus would have us treat them.

 

God knows us inside and outside. He knows our thoughts and our actions, from the time of conception and our formation in the womb to the time of our last breath.

 

Here is the chance to be like sheep and follow the Shepherd, to have confidence in him who will guide us through the hurdles. God is our strength and our deliverance.

 

This is the time to go beyond a believing faith and more to one that follows Jesus and reach out to others with the Compassion of Christ.

 

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me be strong in you and to touch others with your compassion that comes to us in the Christ Child.  Amen

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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