Aug7Written by:BlogForLadies
8/7/2011 5:57 PM 
After the devastating earthquake hit Haiti in January 2010, there was a huge humanitarian response from all over the world. I have seen people moved by other people’s suffering to the point of giving selflessly, but never to this level. There was an outpouring of goodwill as people donated cash, clothes, food and manpower among other things, to the victims of the devastating earthquake. I have no words to express the sadness I felt as I watched God’s precious children fight for their lives. It must hurt God when his children hurt like that, and my heart goes out to all our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Only God can bring healing and restoration where the rest of us can only give what feels like a drop of water in a burning oil field.
Two days after the earthquake, the president of the United States gave a public address regarding Haiti. He too like everyone grieved with the hurting in Haiti and promised to send aid to the victims of the earthquake. What touched me most about the speech was his choice of words which were probably taken from the bible. The president said “Haiti, you will not be forgotten, you will not be forsaken.” How powerful! He did not stop at those assuring words; he went ahead to allot a huge sum of money and a vast number of soldiers and relief workers to help with the rescue efforts. Those watching the address like me, must have marveled at his conviction and his power too!
When the speech was over, I sat back to digest the president’s words. “You will not be forgotten, you will not be forsaken. ” If I tell you that I did not believe his words, I would be lying. I did not doubt a word that he said! I knew for a fact that President Obama would deliver on his promise and that the people of Haiti had his full support. And sure enough, we woke up to the news that airplanes and navy ships were already on their way to Haiti. You know I could just keep writing about the many things that have been done since that day, but I would rather remind you of one whose promises are yes and Amen. His name is Jesus Christ. He never lies and what he says, he delivers. If a man can make such a promise and I believe him, what about my Jesus- the one who died for me and promised me that he would never leave me nor forsake me!
Two days after the president’s speech, I woke up to spend time with God as I usually do in the mornings, but unlike other days, I did not have a bible study guide with me, as I wanted to hear a timely word from God. I did the plain old “just flip the Bible open and read the first scripture you see.” I don’t encourage anyone to do this daily as you will not grow spiritually by just reading whatever scripture find when you randomly open the bible. However, this particular morning, God truly did speak a very timely word. It was from Isaiah 41:10 and 13. Vs. 10 says,
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand- NIV
What an assurance! After watching those scary and painful pictures, many have been left to wonder where God is during the times of suffering! That overwhelming feeling of helplessness and despair leads even the most faithful ones to question God, but this morning, my father was telling me to not fear. As I read on further, I was comforted by the words of Vs. 13 which says:
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you-NIV
That did it for me! I was comforted in a way that only God could comfort. It’s as if God literally came down and sat with me in my living room, looked straight into my eyes and told me that he was taking hold of my right hand, so I had no need to fear. As we mourn with our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as the situation gets grim by the day and all hope seems gone to the human eye and mind, as we see the tears of suffering humanity, and as the devil takes the opportunity to make people doubt the love of God, I leave you with the encouragement of Isaiah 41:10,13. “Do not fear!” Take courage, the Lord is always on your side, and he is also with all those who are hurting in Haiti. We may not know why this happened, but we have the assurance of victory; The Lord is holding us, so fear has lost its power. Be courageous, will you?