Sunday, January 17, 2010

Haitian Curse?

 
 
Choices
(by R.P.Edwards)
 
The classic problem
Man…gone wrong
Choosing evil
Satan’s song
Prone to error
Inviting grief
Desperate seeking
For relief
But bondage is the traitor’s life
He seeks the key
But gets the knife
And cannot pull the damning blade
He wallows in the hell
He’s made
But waiting near
For torment’s pause
The hearing bringing heaven’s cause
The mighty torrent
With the plea
“I need you, Jesus, set me free”
And rushing in, o’erwhelming power
The Father’s arm!
Salvations hour!
And in an instant…
The curse…as air
Is blown away
As…never there


Thousands  upon thousands were dead and a prominent American made the statement that maybe, just maybe, the judgment of God was involved.  Here’s what he said: 

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.”

Yeah, it’s an excerpt of Abraham Lincoln’s 2nd inaugural address.  And, being a man of faith, he floated the idea that perhaps the hand of God was involved in the Civil War.  Slavery was a monstrous evil, and God’s judgment will not sleep forever. Was it judgment?  I have no idea.

Let’s fast forward to 2010 and the horrific earthquake that struck the small nation of Haiti.  Thousands upon thousands have died and one prominent televangelist floated the idea that due to national beginnings that had to do with dealings with the devil, well, bad things have happened ever since.  He didn’t make the direct link, but there was definitely a nibble around the edge.  So, was God’s hand in this natural disaster?  I have no idea.

Now, I think we should all cut Pat Robertson some slack.  From that tiny little “maybe” statement, he has drawn furious fire from all quarters. But the gist of his “message” (as I saw it ) was not that “they got what they deserved” but rather that prayer and aid was needed…and would be given.  Indeed, the organization he founded so long ago has been helping the desperate and destitute for longer than many of his critics have been breathing.  And, at the end of the day, “operation blessing” will probably give more relief to the destitute Haitians…than 99% of the reverend’s detractors.

So, judgment?  The hand of God?  I don’t know.  But, on a national or personal scale, when lives are shaken…it’s a good time to reassess and seek a foundation…that cannot be moved.



That's what I think.  How about you?  Click comments below...and say.

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