My friend Danny and I have set up a web portal for helping people who have suffered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Gambling4Aid.com is designed to encourage people who normally gamble to give their winnings to local charities. One thing you can do is host a poker game and give the winnings to one of the agencies linked on the site, or to an agency you know.
I’m troubled by what I’ve seen from this hurricane. Four years ago, we saw a group of Muslim fanatics attack our nation. Back then, I felt like God had withdrawn His blessing and was now subjecting us to our enemies. Now I feel like this hurricane is the arm of God again, now using nature herself as an instrument of destruction against us. I find it ironic than in the midst of the mockery of creationism and our nation’s steadfastness to teaching the dogma of evolution, a “natural disaster” comes raging against us and completely destroys several cities, displacing millions. After I saw the damage, I was afraid of the Lord. I recalled the times in the Bible where men and woman “feared” God. I especially remember David’s reaction when God killed Uzzah for merely touching the Ark of the Covenant. First, David was angry. Then, he was afraid of the Lord.
I don’t get afraid of the Lord that much, to my regret. I should be afraid more. I’ve been afraid of circumstances, even those the Lord may bring me through, but not the Lord Himself. This week, I actually feared God. I am afraid of what He might do to us. We trusted in our economy of military, and (I believe) God delivered our symbols of power into the hands of a bunch of terrorists armed with box cutters. We blatantly mocked God as Creator of Heaven and Earth, and (I believe) He delivered us into the hands of a hurricane. What might happen next? Will the Lord repay us for the number of abortions we’ve boasted about? Will He deliver millions of us into the hands of nuclear or biological disaster to avenge the millions of children sent from the womb to the grave in the name of “choice”?
I thank God that while I may suffer the consequences of sin now, that my punishment has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ. I thank God that He poured out His wrath about His Son for my sins, and chose to not leave me to make atonement for my sins on my own.
Unfortunately, it seems many in New Orleans do not fear God nor respect Him anymore. I could understand breaking into stores to steal food and staples for survival’s sake, but the looting and rampaging of pawn shops outrages me and makes me more sympathetic to Katrina’s fury. I hate that this storm has killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands, but to see people taking monetary advantage of fellow Americans, whether they be looting gangs or oil corporations is appalling. I believe the government should use all means necessary to treat the lawbreakers in New Orleans as terrorists to be shot from helicopter, and punish the oil industry for any attempt to profit from this disaster.
I was also really disappointed in President Bush’s speech today. I’ve had my disagreements with his leadership lately, but this speech was the worst thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve heard more enthusiasm at staff meetings, and it was encouragement announced after the stranded citizens of New Orleans were at the point of rioting. Where was Bush a week ago? When I heard his words and those of other officials, I realized that the poor people of Louisiana and Mississippi have no hope in their government. But, this may be the Lord reminding our people that He is our refuge. To reword a quote from the Psalms, “The strength of Uncle Sam is a vain hope; Despite all his taxes, he cannot save!” We citizens are foolish however to complain too much to where we presume that the government could have actually stopped the hurricane or prevented the flooding.
The news services ask, “Who can we blame?”. I sort of blame God. He is in control of the weather. He certainly permitted it. But I also don’t blame God. He made the earth, the sea, the sky and us. He may do as He wishes. And there’s certainly nothing wrong with fearfully asking, “Why have You brought this disaster to our doorsteps?” Of course, He doesn’t need to answer.
O Lord, have mercy on us. Do not destroy us in Your wrath. Forgive our sins and heal our nation again.