Grace under Fire
October 14th, 2008
Like last October, Southern California is on fire again. For a recent report, click here.
For those who may be wondering, Grace Church is only a few miles from where two of the major blazes are currently burning. Though our campus is not in the fire’s path, some of our people have had to evacuate their homes. Nonetheless, we are all trusting the Lord, knowing that He is in control of both the flames and the winds.
In Psalm 148:7-8, we read: “Praise the LORD from the earth . . . ; Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word.”
God is sovereign over every type of weather (including fire-driving Santa Ana winds), and we take refuge in Him and praise His name. As verse 13 goes on to say: “Let [all people] praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven.”
May the Lord be with you and yours during this trying time.
Dear Lord Jesus, please keep all in the path of the fire away from harm. Please, if it be Your will, cause the winds to subside and send a dousing rain to help the fire fighters get the upper hand on it. In Your name, Amen
When I lived in Kelowna B.C. a few years ago, we had a huge Okanagan mountain fire. We gathered at a church one Friday night to pray when the fire was out of control by winds and there was nothing the fighters could do but flee. It was in the city limits that night. We prayed specifically for a rain to come even though we had been in drought for many months, like here. A couple hours later, I heard on the radio that the skies had opened up and a downpour was happening right over the danger zone! It lasted a good five minutes and then stopped. People were calling in all excited and celebrating! I praised Him for answering our prayers. After that evening, the fire was not out, but fighters gained the upper hand and were able to end it completely. Our Father is still in the miracle business! As you know of course. However, about 300 homes were destroyed, but no lives taken! Just thought I’d share that awesome story. Be encouraged!
I thought of two other reasons to praise God for the fires:
1. Praise Him for His righteousness and Holiness sake, since there is an eternal fire to show that glorious part of God forever.
2. And even more than that, praise Him for rescuing such hell-deserving people as ourselves (Christians) by giving us our Lord Jesus Christ to endure that wrath in our place.
We can be thankful that such fires as these are only temporary.
O Lord, I do pray that you put them out quickly and keep many safe. Amen.
Good news to hear that Grace Church is okay, but what about the
Grace -to -You headquarters and the Master’s Seminary? If I
remember my LA-area geography right, are they not in danger?
Once again as last year we continue to pray for opportunities of compassionate care, but especially for Evangelistic opportunities by word and deed in truth and love.
May the LORD who keeps the sparrows and the lillies, protect and supply all the needs of His saints according with His will, riches and glory.
May He strengthen and carry the fainthearted, weak and the weary and give grace as He supplies us allways with all good things.
With love in our merciful Almighty Father’s care.
Dale,
GTY is in a different valley, so they are out of the way of this one (last year’s was much closer to them). TMS is on the same campus as the church. We are so surrounded by the city that there is no real danger for our campus. But many of our people live along the foothills where they were forced to evacuate. What stands out most about this fire over previous ones is its proximity to LA proper. People in Sylmar and San Fernando had to prepare to evacuate, and many of them would not have thought the fires would have gotten that close. But they do seem to have held the line today…
Thanks for praying,
Jesse
I’m praying for everyone affected by these fires and the smoke. May The Lord engage you all.
Thanks, Jesse, for the reply. I did error when I said seminary
instead of the Master’s College. I have since seen that all
Grace to You ministries are not in danger!