The Day After

The Day After

Last night, I was relaxing in my warm dry safe house watching some television and playing with my daughter. I went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of cold clean refreshing water. I went to the cupboard and there was food. I went to the window and looked outside and there was no flood, tornado, and very little rain. There was very little evidence of a storm in the region as far as my front porch was concerned. I returned to my comfortable chair and enjoyed the benefits of electricity, technology and security. Around 10PM I walked to the bedroom and laid on a comfortable bed. I closed my eyes and fell asleep peacefully.

                This morning, I woke up to the sound of non-migrating birds and looked out the window and saw blue skies peeking through mostly cloudy skies. I showered and got dressed in some warm clean clothes. I walked to my car and drove to the local convenience store and purchased a coffee. I then traveled to my safe, secure, comfortable office at church and turned on my laptop to begin preparing my Sunday PM sermon. I paused momentarily to look at the news online and I saw the devastating results of Hurricane Sandy. I stopped and thanked God for keeping my family and I safe and secure. It was then that I was reminded of a few historical records from God’s Word and it changed my perspective in a matter of seconds. It changed my perspective of God’s mercy, grace, protection and providence; changed it forever if I take it to heart. I will share them with you today and pray that you see this the same way in perspective.

The Day After the World Wide Flood –

For 120 Years Noah built the massive Ark. It was promised by God that his family would be spared from the never-before- rainfall and worldwide flood. As the last animal was secured in the ark Noah and his family entered behind them and God shut the door of the massive structure. Then, the rain began to fall. The fountains under the earth here broken up and water was both spraying up and pouring down. The rain was torrential. The flooding was devastating. It covered homes, farms, barns, mountains, trees, flowers, graves – it covered the whole earth. Sea creatures were destroyed. Human carnage was everywhere. Bodies floating beside the Ark. Water covered the earth for days! Then, the water evaporated and dispersed. The Ark safely landed and rested on Mount Ararat. Noah opened the door and as the animals departed the ark to repopulate the animal “kingdom” he and his family exited their safe haven to the realization that they were the only survivors. I cannot imagine anyone gleefully celebrating the fact that their friends, family, even their enemies had been destroyed from off of the face of the earth. Noah had found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Grace that spared him and his family! Yet, as the recipients of God’s grace- how could they celebrate when there were many others who did not have this same mercy extended to them. Noah’s testimony and faithfulness of God did not make it beyond his family. In today’s day and age of Modern Christianity- we wouldn’t conclude that to be much of a testimony or impact on the lives around him.

The day after the Death of the First Born Son In Egypt-

For over 400 years the children of Israel were in forced bondage to the bidding of the Evil Pharaoh. God sent Moses back to Egypt to deliver His people from the hand of Egypt and to go to the land promised to Abraham. After 9 plagues of pestilence and judgment, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened against God’s demand to let his people go. God gave specific instructions as how to avoid the death angel’s execution. Many obeyed yet many disobeyed and did their own thing. That night, the death angel went from home to home and killed the firstborn of every household. Can you imagine the horrifying screams heard throughout the land that next morning? Can you picture with me the cries of anguish and heart breaking mothers as they clutched their dead child? Can you feel the desperation and despondent thoughts that the fathers had as they were powerless against the invisible messenger of death sent by God? I cannot imagine the children of Israel walking up and down the streets celebrating the death of children and not lamenting the cost of rebellion against God. As the bodies of the dead were carried past them to the graves to be buried, the lump in the Hebrew’s throats had to be enlarged and feeling so inadequate to help and console. Thankful for the grace and protection of God over them, they were commanded to leave Egypt. The surreal moments that followed as they packed their possessions and were given the riches of Egypt as an entreaty to leave their land in haste must have been humbling.

How can I boast of grace when others are in despair? In their hearts they have such pain and their joy is no more. How can I rejoice of grace when others are in pain? How can I boast of mercy and not feel such pain? There are millions around me every day who do not know the Lord. How can I boast of his saving grace and for others never to implore? How can I boast of salvation and not care for fellow man? How can I rejoice in his love and yet others know not the same? The day after salvation – the day after the storm – does my grace and love of God reach beyond myself or does it reach others?

Some call it compassion. Some call it sympathy. Some call it humanitarian interest.  I will just call it grace.                                                         God’s Grace Is A Burden

Grace is a burden that we carry

When we give our heart to God

Grace is a burden that we carry

As along this earth we trod

Grace is a choice that we act on

When we see another in need

Grace is a choice that we act on

When for the lost we urgently plead

Grace is a love that we must share

To the lost and fallen and deceived

Grace is a love that we must share

Of Christ for others to believe

How can we boast of God’s love and amazing grace

The message of salvation And not with others share

How can we sing of God’s love and amazing grace

His mercy and compassion and not for others care