Itís hard for me to imagine what the Japanese people are going through right now. First, they had a powerful earthquake. While there has been some coverage of the earthquake the second two disasters are stealing the headlines. The earthquake triggered a powerful tsunami. The video I have watched of this is unbelievable. I saw a huge farm and a small town washed away in a matter of a few seconds. Nothing seemed to stop the wall of water as it pushed ashore. The images and stories of survival are horrific and unbelievable.
If all that is not bad enough, the country is also facing a nuclear disaster if they canít find a way to shut down or at least cool down the nuclear reactors in the northern part of the country. If they lose control of these reactors the ensuing disaster might eclipse the earthquake and tsunami. The Japanese people are struggling to recover from a disaster of a magnitude that we would have a hard time imagining. They are also having a difficult time with their economy just as we are.
We arenít immune to natural disasters in the United States. California has had earthquakes. The East and Gulf coasts have been struck by hurricanes like Hugo and Katrina. We have also experienced a nuclear plant problem at Three Mile Island. These disasters were horrific for our country and especially for those who lived through them. There are many old stories of disasters in our country where people have lost property and their lives.
These huge natural disasters should serve to remind us that we need to get our lives right with God. No one knows the day or the hour of their departure from this life. So we need to get to know our maker in this life so He will welcome us into an eternity that we can hope for while we are alive. If we donít get to know God now and commit our lives into His hands, then we wonít get the privilege of spending eternity with Him in heaven. The door is open and God is waiting for each one of us.
Some may wonder if God sent this great disaster on Japan. Those are people who do not know God or his great love for mankind. I believe that God wept for the Japanese people on Friday. He takes no pleasure in watching people suffer. His heart reaches out to the Japanese people, wanting to draw them close and comfort them.
If your heart has been touched by this great disaster, there are so many ways you can help. First, I would caution you to be careful where you put your money or resources. There are plenty of people who will try to scam you out of your hard earned money. Check out any organization before you donate money so you can be sure that your money actually gets to the people in need. Two great organizations that do wonderful work in disasters are the American Red Cross and Samaritanís Purse.
One thing we can all do right now is lift the Japanese people up in prayer. Our prayers, both individual and corporate will have an impact on their situation. God wants to answer prayers for people who are suffering. God can do amazing things through ordinary people who are surrounded in prayer.
I believe that because of the prayers of people like you and me, God can release hope to the Japanese people. If there can be a release of hope to people who have suffered such a profound disaster, they can find the strength to carry on. Godís hope does not disappoint.
I want to encourage you to pray that God will move on the hearts of the Japanese people and release faith and hope. Pray that his love will wash over them much like the tsunami did and bring hope and healing to a grief-stricken people. God loves them just as he loves us. We need to ask God to bless and comfort them and to help them find a way to move forward. May God have mercy on Japan and may his love, peace, and mercy fill their hearts.
Doug Creamerís website is www.dougcreamer.com. You can email him at doug@dougcreamer.com.