God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:1-5
Dear heavenly Father, on Sunday, a year ago today, we could not gather as a church gather to hear the gospel and worship you. The flood waters roared and foamed, surrounding our facility and forcing scores of our families out of their homes, including our son and his bride. The aftermath was overwhelming; the destruction was great; the loss of property unimaginable.
Yet, you proved to be a most glorious refuge, a giver of gospel-strength and a very present help in all our troubles. The water mark of the river of grace far surpassed the water mark of the flood waters of Nashville. We couldn’t see it then, but we surely see it now. Our fears were great, but, in time, our thanks became even greater. Our sadness in that day was understandable, but our gladness in this day was unimaginable. You rode the flood waters, Father. You were always in our midst. You were present well before the morning dawned.
Father, you brought much good out of great hard, and you still are. Neighbor love overflowed well beyond the banks of a mere river. Friendships were forged; kingdom values were embraced; presumption died a thousand deaths; joy of salvation was restored to many, and found by many for the first time. We praise, honor and glorify you, O Father of mercies and God of all comfort. The gospel has proven to be real, true and enough.
And now, Father, we marshal our hearts, prayers and resources towards those who began this very same journey this week. We bring to your throne of grace… our brothers and sisters ravaged by tornadoes and flood waters; those who are now planning painful funerals; those who have lost “everything”; those who have no way imagining how anything good can come out of something so unimaginable; those for whom this feels like one more chapter of sequential abandonment and loss; those greatly traumatized; those whose already weak or eroded faith is now on its last verse; for your servants now called to lead in a most difficult season.
Father, use us, in any and every way you desire. We know that you comforted us with a comfort that is gospel-shaped—one perfectly and providentially formed to serve our neighbors for such a time as this. Pour out your Spirit; manifest the resurrection power of the gospel; write stories of great redemption and restoration, we pray in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.