Pray for Japan

I turned on the television on Friday morning to see most news channels covering the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The footage of the crashing waves and aftermath of the destruction is simply unspeakable. It’s a moment that leaves a person at a loss of words to that can even fathom what has been witnessed. We can talk plate tectonics and the physics of liquid but can only offer hollow expression in seeing people trying to salvage what remains of their former lives.

Even in the darkness, a light can shine. Many have already have risen to the occasion to offer their solidarity and support to the nation.

I am also glad to know that people are offering up prayers to Japan. I do firmly believe it is only in coming before the very presence of God that we can come to grips with such an unspeakable happening. God really does not give the answer to why something like this would happen, He does something better. God sends the Son, who dies upon the cross, atones for sin, and rises again the third day so that whosoever believes can have eternal life. Life is fragile and can be snuffed out in a moment, but God offers resurrection life.

Japan does need our prayers to recover from this tribulation, to come to grips with their loss, and to have a renewed spirit to move forward. But I also pray that the Holy Spirit would use this occasion to bring people in Japan back to their Creator. That they might come to the realization this is a sinful and fallen world were unspeakable things happen and life ends but that there is hope for God never intended things to be this way, and He has come to proclaim Good News to the lost.

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