Monday, May 20, 2013

Prayers for Oklahoma

Almost every spring, we get terrible stories about the weather in rural America.  Today, our thoughts and prayers go out to Oklahoma, which is suffering horribly from a scourge of tornadoes.  Personally, there is nothing on earth that I find more terrifying and discouraging than a tornado, which always seems to come from a more evil planet.  I once spent several months in Oklahoma City, and I was moved by the kindliness and faith of Oklahomans.  They are a brave people, and they will have to be brave today, and for some time to come.

Tornadoes remind me of that moment in First Kings where Elijah is about to give up on his ministry, only to find that God is not in the great and strong wind:

And He said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord."

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind:

And after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire:

And after the fire a still small voice.

I Kings 19:11-12

I am certain that the Lord is not in tornadoes, and I hope that the folks in Oklahoma can hear the still, small voice.  And I pray that they are consoled by the knowledge that someday, we won't have to fear the weather:

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:
For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;
And there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,
Coming down from God out of Heaven,
Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of Heaven, saying,
"Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
And He will dwell with them,
And they shall be His people,
And God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
And there shall be no more death,
Neither sorrow,
Nor crying,
Neither shall there be any more pain:
For the former things are passed away."

Revelation 21:1-4

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