A Pathway Through the Sea

A massive earthquake struck Japan early this morning and triggered a devastating tsunami across the Pacific.

I awoke this morning feeling so thankful to have made it to Friday.  This week was a rough one at work, nothing completely out of the ordinary, but busier, more draining than most weeks.  I remember thinking on Tuesday night, "This is the LONGEST week ever."  So, Friday morning seemed like some sort of triumph.  Then, I began hearing the reports on the radio.  When I got to work, I pulled up raw video footage of the massive waves spilling across the city.  Loss. Wreckage. Devastation.

A sinking feeling settled in my gut.  A heaviness pressed against my chest.  The heart that felt so light only hours ago, is weighed down by sadness for a terror-struck people.

Godly friends are already posting on Facebook and Twitter, prayers for the people of Japan and Hawaii and any others who might be affected, verses about God being a refuge when the mountains tremble.  I began doing my own word search through scripture, not entirely sure what I hoped to find.  Compassion.

I need God to be bigger than my sorrow today.  I need Him to be bigger than my questions, my doubts, my fears, and my sadness.  The song playing in my speakers right now says, "No matter where I am, healing is in Your hands."  I need to know that the God who allowed that devastation to break the people of Japan will also have compassion on them, help them, and heal them.  And, I need to know that even today, He is good.

My searching led me to Psalm 77:9, "Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He slammed the door on His compassion?" 


It was like the Psalmist had read my mind.  Knew the dark and troubled thoughts twisting my insides out this morning.  I scanned up to the top of the chapter and continued reading ...

I cry out to God; yes, I shout. Oh, that God would listen to me! ... I think of God and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for His help.
Is His unfailing love gone for ever? Have His promises permanently failed?
Has the Lord forgotten to be gracious? Has He slammed the door on His compassion?
But then, I recall all You have done, O LORD; I remember Your wonderful deeds of long ago.
O, God, Your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as You?
You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate Your awesome power among the nations!
Your road led through the sea, Your pathway through the mighty waters - a pathway no one knew was there!
Psalm 77:1,3,8-9,11,13,19

God, you are intimately acquainted with every man, woman, and child in the affected areas.  You see every suffering soul, and you long to be gracious; you rise to show compassion (Is. 30;18). God, today, I am choosing to believe that you are good, that your compassion never fails, that you will cut a pathway through these mighty waters, one I cannot see today, one that will lead to deliverance.  Rescue, Lord. Rescue.