Whether it be an earthquake, a landslide, a tornado, or a hurricane, there are situations in life when we feel utterly weak and helpless. Now is one of those times for the people of Houston, Texas. As most of you know, Houston is experiencing what some are referring to as a “500-year storm”. Hurricane Harvey hit land as a category-4 storm, stalled over land, was pushed back into the Gulf of Mexico, and has returned once again, only to add insult to injury. It’s now been downgraded to a tropical storm, but it’s still dumping massive amounts of water over southeast Texas (and now Louisiana). In fact, some regions of the greater Houston area might receive more than 50 inches of rain in less than a week. Sometimes the rain comes in small doses, and at other times it comes in torrential downpours. There was a time when we received over 15 inches of rain in 3 hours, and that came after we had already endured 8 to 10 inches of rain the night before. Schools are closed all week, many of our area businesses have no timetable to reopen, cars are submerged, and numerous homes are filled with chest-deep water (or higher). As I write this, over 40,000 people have sought public shelter, and countless numbers have been rescued by boat or helicopter. It is a surreal experience as we have received rain in what sounds like biblical proportions.
There is no doubt that the effects of Harvey will be felt for months. There are 6.5 million people in the greater Houston area, and there is potential for another 10-20 inches of rain before this is all said and done. Most of the bayous and reservoirs are already full, but the rainwater has to go somewhere. Indeed, this has undoubtedly been one of those storms that makes you feel small and fragile.
But even in the midst of this tragedy there is hope, and we have seen glimmers of this hope as God lavishes upon all of us the common grace He gives to all mankind. Just turn on the news and you’ll see public officials risking their lives to save others while volunteers come out in droves, bringing their boats to help in the rescue efforts. Countless numbers of Houston-area residents who have been more fortunate are spending tireless hours working at shelters and providing necessary aid. And people across the nation are sending supplies or lifting us up in prayer.
If you are looking for ways to help: pray, donate to the disaster relief, and check on those you know in the Houston area. It means a lot. If you do live in H-Town, be safe, pray for more of God’s grace, take care of your family and friends, and check on your neighbor. What an awesome opportunity we have to help our neighbors and share the love of Christ. God’s grace is undoubtedly seen in this tragic situation, and for that we praise Him.
For more information and insight:
Listen to Albert Mohler’s briefing from August 28th: http://www.albertmohler.com/2017/08/28/briefing-08-28-17/
Read J.A. Medders’ blog article for Gospel Coalition: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/from-the-flooded-grounds-of-houston
To donate items like food, clothing, etc., call local shelters.
To donate money you can give to these trusted sites:
Love,
Corey & Kristen
Proclaim His Name 