Help can come from on high in Haiti tragedy

The earthquake in Haiti last week was a horrible disaster. The latest reports I’ve seen estimate that 200,000 are dead. Many more people are injured. At the same time men have been roaming the streets with weapons, looting and hurting other victims of the earthquake. I am sure, like me, your heart and your prayers go out to the victims.

Unfortunately, you may have also read as I did the unfortunate statement of televangelist and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson. On Wednesday, Pat Robertson said that earthquake-ravaged Haiti has been “cursed” by a “pact to the devil.” I am saddened by his statement, as are many other Christians.

I am not denying the sin of all people. But in Luke 13, Jesus warns against using tragedy and natural disasters to point to sin of others. He says such tragedies should lead us all to repentance and sorrow for our sin. Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

I believe Jesus’ words long before I would ever consider those of Pat Robertson.

I also know a verse that talks about God acting for his people in times of earthquakes. In fact, Martin Luther knew this verse too. Listen to the words of Psalm 46 and consider what this says about how God acts for his people, even in times of earthquakes.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

When people are facing trouble such as when the earth gives way, when the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, such as an earthquake, God has not forgotten us. God is a help — a help in trouble, a present help in trouble. God is an ever-present help in trouble. In other words, when people really need God, God is really present to help.

To Martin Luther, God’s character according to Psalm 46 led to the following response:

“A Mighty Fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon. He helps us free from every need, which has us now o’er taken!” (from “A Mighty Fortress”)

What a blessing to know what God says about such disasters. When God’s people really need him, God is really there. Perhaps with me you see God’s help even in this Haiti disaster in the rescues that continues to happen for people in the rubble. Yesterday evening an elderly lady was pulled out of a fallen building. Today a baby was found. God is indeed “an ever-present help in trouble.”

Thank you, Lord, that when disaster strikes, you are there to help. Lord, please help the people of Haiti at this time to see your help and your eternal rescue in Jesus.

Jonathan Rockey is Pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.