The news coming from the ruins in Puerto Rico is not encouraging. Last report which I read says 50 % of the island continues without power, over 200,000 have moved to the mainland. Hurricane Maria not only devastated the resources of the tropical United States territory, she also brought pain and misery to millions of citizens. Whether our government’s response has been appropriate and adequate or an abject failure continues to be debated. However, we do know with certainty that a large segment of humanity, American brothers and sisters, suffer through a long and tedious restoration.
Israel in 722 B.C.E. also suffered a national tragedy with the fall of its Northern Kingdom leading the psalmist to write:
“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.” Psalm 80:3
Throughout recorded history the world’s peoples have endured unfathomable misery either from natural disasters or man’s depravity. The Israelites of King David’s time, whether praying to God for relief or cursing God for his anger, acknowledged that a power greater than themselves had the capacity to restore or punish. We have that same choice today. Do I pray to God for deliverance or curse God for hardships? Do I honor God for mercy and goodness or blame God for pain and misery?
Therefore, when I say, “Restore me, God; let your face shine, that I may be saved,” I have chosen to embrace the power of a restorative, compassionate, saving God instead of a vindictive, harsh, wrathful God. My choice, my free will, has enabled a power greater than myself to enter Larry’s world and perform the miracles of restoration upon a lost and wretched scrap of humanity rescued from the seas of addiction. Certainly God was waiting in the wings for the opportunity to take center stage, but, Larry had to raise the curtain.
“Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God.” AA, twelve and twelve
It all makes sense. It is a choice; so, why would anyone choose an angry God over a loving God? Ultimately, why would anyone choose to live without the comfort and grace of a Father who is readily available to whomever would ask?
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
lpb - quest 