Ripping Out Walls
In
response to the terrible blow that Hurricane Sandy unleashed on the Greater New
York area, this past week I went with a team from our church, Promise International
Fellowship (PIF), to Island Park, Long Island. We went to work with Convoy of
Hope and Samaritan’s Purse. After
signing in, we were sent to the home of a couple in their 70’s. The walls of the first floor of their home
had to be completely ripped out. We went
to work with hammers and crowbars, shovels and brooms, tearing down the
plaster, the wood behind it, and the insulation. The debris quickly piled up as
the dust filled the air. It was hard work…no, it was sad work.
For
me, the ripping out of those walls was a picture of just how devastated the
people around us were feeling. Understandably, as we did our work, the couple
whose home we worked in seemed broken-hearted to see the walls of their home
being demolished. It was as if the walls of their hearts were crumbling as
well. The tearing down of those walls was an apt illustration of what had
happened to so many people’s lives. All
we could do was offer some help, a word of hope, and encourage them to put
their trust in God.
One
of the prophets of the Bible, Habakkuk, after seeing his homeland destroyed by
an invading army followed by drought and famine wrote these words:
“Though the fig
tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop
fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and
no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in
God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Habakkuk knew what it was like to experience devastation
and destruction. He knew what it was
like to see the walls of life ripped apart.
Yet, in the midst of it all he makes an incredible statement of
faith. He even goes as far as saying, “I will rejoice in the Lord.” Why?
Because Habakkuk knew that the only One who could help him and his
people rebuild the walls of their lives would be God. So, he continued in
faith; and by faith looked ahead with hope.
Where do you turn when the walls of your life begin to
crumble? How do you respond? I want to encourage you today to turn to the
only One who can give you real hope. He
is a God who loves you, who will be with you, and who can help you rebuild the
walls of your life.
Let’s continue to pray for and serve the people whose lives
have been ruined by Sandy. And, let’s
continue to trust in God, the One who is able to fill our lives with hope.
Have
a great day!
Pastor
Tim Harris
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