Psalm 102:1-5
I pray to you, LORD! Please listen. Don't hide from me in my time of trouble. Pay attention to my prayer and quickly give an answer. My days disappear like smoke, and my bones are burning as though in a furnace. I am wasting away like grass, and my appetite is gone. My groaning never stops, and my bones can be seen through my skin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somehow a scripture passage about burning as though in a furnace seems amazingly appropriate for such a hot day as this one! Temperatures in our state are reaching as high as 113+, with a heat index as high as 120 or more! Even if you sit inside all day in air conditioning, you are probably noticing that you feel some effects of the heat… and maybe your appetite has been suppressed lately because of it.
Our “misery,” while physically palpable… especially for those who have to be outside right now… is somewhat temporary. We don’t have to look very far to see people whose genuine misery is on a scale that, thankfully, we cannot even comprehend. Our present heat wave may be making us uncomfortable, but it can’t hold a candle to the drought that is ravaging the Horn of Africa and starving countless people there… including more than 2 million children in Somalia alone. Truly their groaning never stops, and their bones are seen through the skin.
I have asked myself, “Has God hidden Himself from the people of Somalia and others who are suffering around the world… even in our own back yard? How can we assure others that God loves them and is watching over them, when all they know is starvation, dehydration, pain and sadness? How do we trust in God when our days disappear like smoke?”
The answer is complicated… and requires tremendous faith. If we read further in the 102nd Psalm, we see that verses 16-17 say, “…Your glory will be seen, and the prayers of the homeless will be answered.” I believe that God is with us in our heat wave… and I believe He is with the starving children of Africa and others who are suffering around the world. When our children fall and bump their heads, we scoop them into our arms and cuddle them… kiss their “owies” and assure them that all will be well again. I believe that God did this for Jesus at Calvary… and He is holding each of us closely now – especially those who suffer.
God is working in these dire situations. We have heard the reports on our local news stations of relief centers opening to house those in need… the admonitions to check on the elderly and our pets… the “Good Samaritan” features on people who are delivering fans to those with no air conditioning - and cold water to those who need extra hydration. We know that agents of such organizations as UNICEF are at work in the Horn of Africa and other areas throughout the world… providing food, water, medical care, and a hug to those who so desperately need one – and our donations and prayers fuel these efforts. In these ways and more, God is showing up each day… saying, “I’m right here with you. I care deeply about you.”
I encourage you to pray today for all who are suffering… from the heat, famine, illness and disease, and more. Ask God to reveal Himself to each of us in a profound and unique way. Ask Him to scoop us into His arms and sooth our “owies”… and to give us courage and faith for the challenges of these next few days… and beyond. Then be sure to thank God for loving us so well… for answering our prayers and meeting our needs according to His perfect plan.
This is a great time to stay inside where it’s cool and spend some time meditating on all of the blessings of our amazing God. Find a few minutes today to sit in the shadow of the Almighty and give Him praise. Ask Him to show you how you can help others... through this present heat wave and into the coming seasons.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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