Today's news: cyclone in Myanmawr, tornadoes in the heartland, fires in Florida, and an earthquake in China. Did anyone else place all of this in context of last Sunday's (Pentecost) sending hymn? It was #400 and addresses "God of tempest, God of whirlwind. . .God of blazing. . .God of earthquake. . ." I'm not saying God was in these natural disasters. I know there are those who view natural disasters as God's punishment on individuals. (I think if God wants to take a person or a few people out, his aim could be a lot better than a cyclone that wipes out tens of thousands or a tornado that is a mile wide.)
You're probably asking, "Okay Tony, so does this hymn have anything to do with the natural disasters?" I think it does. Look at the last stanza. We often expect God to do something to help those in harm's way, but this hymn calls on God to "stir in US loves restlessness! Where the people cry in anguish (Myanmawr, Oklahoma, China), may we share your heart's distress. Rouse us from content with evil; claim us for your kingdom's work."
Let us pray for those who have been in the path of these disasters, and let us pray for those who now lead the efforts of rescue and relief. Even the non-Christians among them, though perhaps unwittingly, are doing the kingdom's work.
"God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind" is a text by Herman G. Steumpfle, b. 1923. The copyright is held by GIA Publications, Inc.
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