Today's Word 🌱.

 

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
-Jeremiah 32:27

A few weeks ago, hurricane Beryl made her way through the Caribbean. While parts of the region were spared from the full extent of her  impact, others were not so fortunate. Several islands experienced devastation, with many homes flattened or damaged extensively. One such location was Union Island, St. Vincent. The island's infrastructure was completely destroyed... and yet this photo emerges out of the landscape of rubbles.

The home of Joseph Franklin, resident of Union Island.
Photo courtesy The Guardian:
 https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/12/solitary-wooden-house-on-union-island-escapes-fury-of-hurricane-beryl

Allow me to indulge you a bit further with a news report and interview.

The Little House That Went Viral on Union Island

Persons may have varying opinions or perspectives on this story, but there is no denying that a house continues to not only stand, but stand out amidst the widespread devastation on the island, defying all odds and explanation. There is also no denying the firm level of faith and trust in God, displayed by the gentleman. The reader/viewer is free to come up with their own conclusion, however, in my humble opinion, it is a faith-honoring miracle that met God's divine will.

The Power of a Story

I couldn't help but be reminded of two (2) stories of the Bible. Two instances where individuals experienced miracles that defied all natural odds and explanation.

1. Daniel thrown into the Lion's Den (You may click here for the full story Daniel 6:16-24)

Daniel was thrown into the lion's den by the king's order for refusing to comply with a new law that restricted worship of any other god with the exception of the king, to whom all obedience, prayer and worship were to be bestowed. While this was a certain method of death, the mouths of the lions were miraculously shut and after spending a night with them, Daniel emerged unharmed and giving the praise of this miracle to God. He said to the worried king Darius in vs 21-22: "May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."

The impossible made possible as seen in Daniel's solitary preservation in the midst of this den of death stood as a testimony of the power and realness of God to all who plotted against him, or witnessed the unfolding of this story. 

2. The Three Hebrew boys thrown into the Fiery Furnace (Daniel 3: 1-30)

This was yet another story of obedience to the true and living God. This story involves Daniel's friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, at a younger age, under a different king. King Nebuchadnezzar commanded that all bow down to and worship a golden statue, and disobedience of this decree was to result in being thrown into a fiery furnace, a most certain death. They decided to stick faithfully to truth and stand in their refusal to acknowledge any other god besides the One true and living God. When confronted, they replied in vs 16-18: “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” 

After being bound and thrown into the furnace that had been angrily increased in temperature up to seven times more, the very same guards who threw them in being burned and killed themselves due to the extreme heat, and the three young men being observed as walking around untied and even having the company of a 4th individual present with them in the furnace, they miraculously survive. In fact the story continues: So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

This turns out to be yet another example of the ever-capable preserving power of God honoring the obedience of faith in this moment. His decision to do so in this moment continues to stand the test of time as an encouragement to believers to stand grounded and rooted in truth, come what may.

-

It is very likely that others on Union Island may have been firm and sincere believers also, but God chose this man's helpless situation to shine brightest through. Joseph Franklin's house emerging out of such a destructive hurricane, whole and for the most part untouched, stands as a testimony once again to the unmatched and timeless preserving power of God. 

While these stories may help to build and strengthen our faith in a real and living God, and that we may wish that God intervenes in every single situation in our lives in miraculous ways, we ought to also understand that His thoughts are higher than our own, His will takes precedence over ours, and our faith must not be only rooted in the results He is able to give, but also the timeless truth and goodness of His heart and mind toward us. 

Some reminders to take away:

• God is Real.
• God Still Cares.
• He is Still Able.
• He Makes No Mistakes.
• All the Glory Goes to Him.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being God. Thank You for caring enough to demonstrate evidence of Your ability to more than take care of us, and continuing to foster an environment where we can feel safe to rest, lean on and trust in You completely. Build our faith. Help us to trust Your will completely. Help us to reach to that point like Job who trusted in You so completely, that even if You saw it fit to take his life, he declared his firm trust in You. You know best Lord, and we ask You to help our unbelief. Forgive us, cleanse us, and draw us to Your side Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Do enjoy the following song, as we lift up our hearts in praise to the Creator of the universe.

My God is Awesome [Charles Jenkins]