“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
Ten years ago, just after a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, three American doctors volunteered to go and help treat the tens of thousands of people who had been badly injured. After a particularly distressing and dispiriting day of treating badly broken bodies with few of the medical tools they needed, something wonderful happened. In the lantern-lit darkness of the stifling Caribbean night made heavy with smell of human sweat, waste and badly infected wounds, a man entered the makeshift hospital tent and started to play a guitar and sing a Creole song. At first, the doctors paid no attention.
But slowly and powerfully, the song of the one man welled up in the throat of every Haitian there, including those who were badly hurt. The song filled the hospital and literally drove out the misery. Many were so moved that they got up and danced, even with broken bones and joints
The American doctors could not understand the Creole chorus that was being sung. Yet they all heard and recognized one word, “Jesus.” An interpreter told them the whole refrain, “Jesus thank you for loving us.”
A simple worship chorus of thanksgiving opened a door and the Holy Spirit entered through it. God’s love covered them like wings. His presence became a refuge and a fortress. Everyone on those cots may have had broken bones, but no one was a cripple. The Deliverer had delivered… and everyone in that place with eyes opened by faith was able to see, and rejoice in the salvation of the Lord.
The doctors heard the joy and happiness and felt a presence that they experienced as a “beautiful example of human courage.” They saw the heartfelt expression of gratitude, but could not see that which inspired the gratitude. What the Haitians celebrated as the Presence of the Love of Jesus, Dr. Carmen Maria Romero described as gratitude “for what they have left, which was basically dust.” Yet, even Dr. Romero was changed by the Spirit she could not see or comprehend. She quit her job and left her home and birth-family in the U.S. because she wanted to be a part of what she experienced that night. She understood it as the rebuilding of the country of Haiti. Those with the eyes of faith saw much, much more; what was being built that night was the Kingdom of Heaven.
God is good. Our circumstances and experiences may be painful or even genuinely evil. But God is good. Faith holds onto that like a life raft. And for good reason. God knows where to find us and he says of those who trust Him and seek Him…
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This month’s contributor is Pastor Dave Harvey, who has served as pastor of Grand Marais Evangelical Free Church since February of 2008.
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