Sovereign Grace

Walking into work last night, after spending a large majority of the day following the updated news accounts of the damage done by Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans, Gulport, and the rest of the Gulf Coast, I overheard a co-worker of mine say to another, "Man, this means we aren't goin' to Mardi Gras this year!" Taking a sip of coffee, I almost choked. The damage done to the residents of the southern Gulf coast visibly stretches far beyond the French Quarter. As the most recent estimates predict possibly 4 to 5 months before reconstruction can even begin, this is far too reminiscent of another catastrophic event that took place this month, 4 years ago. FOX News' Shepard Smith reported yesterday that even a brief survey of any given neighborhood in New Orleans resembles "a nuclear warzone without the radiation." Also stating that this is nothing short of a "third-world situation; people with little children, babies, sitting outside all day with nothing to drink, nothing to eat, and no idea where they're even supposed to go." Seeing the photos of this tragedy can quickly cause any of us to lose it emotionally, but let's pray that God in His grace would keep our focus in the right place, His grace, foremost exampled in His Son. As a lady standing in line at the Superdome boldly proclaimed on national television, "We're all praying for safety, but moreso I'm praying for repentance...that these people around me would see the love of Jesus and turn to Him for salvation from their sin." Amen! Keep preaching dear sister. As hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing to Baton Rouge, Houston, and everywhere in between, please let's continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who have been most effected by this tragedy, and may the Lord's Name be exalted more than ever, at a time when most appear to have nothing to smile about. Praise to our gracious and faithful Provider who isn't tied down by hunger, transportation, or even category 5 hurricanes. "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Ways to help: The American Red Cross is accepting donations 24/7. For other ways you can help log on to FOX News' Disaster Relief Information.

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all" (1 Chronicles 29:11).