Encouragement

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His Compassions Fail Not
By Missey Butler


As our nation watches in disbelief the unfolding of what appears to be an unending nightmare for the people of the Gulf Coast states, it soon becomes apparent that mere words cannot adequately describe the rising toll of human suffering.

It’s one thing to view such heartbreaking scenes in a far-away country, but quite another when the same scenes begin to unfold right here on our own soil. It’s like being punched in the stomach and then reeling from the pain as the reality of what has just happened begins to fully register. It was stated that many have become “American refugees” as news footage shows the stories of one brother, arm in arm, leading another brother out from among the ravages of destruction.

My husband and I sat numbed with silence as we witnessed the utter ruin of city after city. I felt overtaken with a multitude of emotions, the more evident one being disbelief. Psychologists describe such feelings as empathy, but I’m not even sure if we can begin to understand the scope of the pain and misery that is now pouring over the victims of this monstrous storm.

I heard a news reporter state, “We are just going to have to come up with some new words because what we are seeing here cannot be described by ordinary words.” Yes, words often fail us!

There is one word, however, that we can always count on -- hope. It acts as an anchor, helping us to stand firm and fixed through the storms of life. In biblical terms, hope is closely aligned with faith. The book of Hebrews tells us that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for" (Hebrews 11:1). Hope, therefore, is the object upon which we can direct all of our energies.

In the days and weeks to come, we need to be faithful to pray that God will cover our Gulf Coast friends with the promise and the hope of His unfailing word:

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress (Psalm 71: 1-3).

We as a nation will once again rise up in response to the cry of our fellow man by extending a compassionate heart and a helpful hand, as we together begin to take steps toward restoration and the healing of all who have suffered. Our hope and trust is in our God, whose compassions never fail us.

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