~ New Lenses ~

[Lani]

Psalm 18:1-19
1 I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.
7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet.
10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire.
13 The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them.
15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.
17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay.
19 He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.


“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1




Some days ago I was wakened suddenly. The ground was shaking. It continued to move so violently and for so long that I got out of bed realizing that this was an earthquake. My husband and son did the same. We had never been in a situation like this, and all we could think to do was to cover ourselves and huddle together. We were totally helpless before the power of nature, and we were deeply aware of our human frailty. I prayed fervently, asking God for protection and strength. Once the earthquake ended, I talked to my parents and friends to find out how they were doing.

Forgetting all that we felt during those moments will be difficult. When we feel nature's power in contrast to our human weakness, all that matters is life itself and the safety of our loved ones.

On these occasions, we appreciate life and realize what is truly valuable. Since that day, I have tried to spend more time with the people I love and to give God thanks for our life. Material things lose their value when we look at them through new lenses.


Prayer: When natural disasters affect us, thank you, God, for teaching us what is valuable in life. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Those rebuilding after disaster

Thought for the Day: Looking at your calendar, consider your use of time and whether it reflects what is truly important to you.

Story shared by: G.F. Navarrete (Chile)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/25/11