ACT OF GOD

As we continue to ponder the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and as we in the southeast are staring down the eye of Hurricane Rita this morning, the phrase, "an act of God," has been playing through my head. Just a few minutes ago as I watched the last update on the storm, I heard the broadcaster refer to the hurricane and the resultant devastation as "an act of God."

Yes, hurricanes are awesome examples of the power of our great God. They call to mind His power and His strength and His sovereignity over all the earth. And, whether God sends the hurricanes or merely allows them to occur, they are indeed, a mighty act of God.

But, as I have reflected on this phrase for a day now,it has struck me that the power of the storm is not the only act of God that we see associated with the hurricanes. I was reminded of the words of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-12:

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

In the aftermath of Katrina, the act of God that I witnessed most was in the gentle whisper, as He ministered to the people through the body of Christ. When the donations began to pour in to service organizations to help those affected by the storm, it was the whisper of God. When men and women sacrificially gave of themselves to help others, it was the whisper of God. When congregations in unaffected areas opened up their homes and their hearts to those fleeing the storm, it was the whisper of God.

While these storms have brought out the worst of man's behavior, it has also demonstrated the power of God's grace working through His people. Do you want to talk about an act of God? Then don't just mention the ferocity of the storm, but also talk about the whispers of love that followed.

Casting Crowns has a song on their newest album called "Praise You in the Storm." It could have been written with Katrina in mind, but it was actually written and recorded months earlier. The chorus of this song reminds us of the whisper of God, and calls us to praise Him in all the storms we face:

"As the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, 'I'm with you.'

"And as Your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives, and takes away.

"I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am.

Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand. You never left my side.

And though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm."

May we all praise God and continue to listen for His small soft whisper in the midst of these storms of life.