Darkness to Dawn – A Devotional Response to the Fires
Kevin Thomas, who lives on the Gold Coast in Australia, wrote this devotion in response to the wild fires in Australia:
A Nation in Mourning- From Darkness to Dawn
‘Waiting for a brand new day’
Acts 16:25-34 ”About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.”
Paul and Silas found themselves in a dark place at a dark hour with the world closing in around them so they needed to make a choice. They can fall prey to the despair of the dark place or they can pray, sing and worship God, putting their trust in Him.
They chose the gold over the hole and the result was God showed up and the whole prison community experienced freedom because they chose to trust God!
Friends, in Australia we are witnesses to the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history.
Lives have been snatched away, families have been decimated, and hope has been replaced by ashes. The nation watches as people’s lives have the potential to slip into a dark hole of despair. We sit helplessly, giving what we can but it seems so little, so we pray and are reminded of our finiteness and the fragility of human life.
Like Paul and Silas we find ourselves in a dark place that will either make us stronger or commit us to a prison cell within. Can I suggest a course of action? When there is no where to go and no human can get you out of this place- trust God.
Dare to trust God in your circumstances. Sing and pray and offer praise to God. Lift your heart and spirit like Paul and Silas did. There is a whole community that needs to experience God’s freedom and your ability to sing, pray and praise God in the midst of tragedy could be the catalyst to others experiencing freedom. It only takes one or two people to trust God and everything can change in a moment from fear to freedom.
We can’t begin to imagine what the hurting people in Victoria are going through, but our hearts go out to them. Our love and prayers can be with them and we can trust God to lead them out of this dark place towards a place of healing.
We are a nation in mourning but we look to God for a new day.
Ps Kev
Thanks for your reflection Ps Kev
As I watched the television coverage of the events unfolding I saw several occasions when people were united with their loved ones, that they thought had perished in the fire, say that they had been praying for a safe return. They prayed, Australians prayed and International communities just like Lifechurch TV were busy in prayer for the victims and their families. We will never know a finite number of how many survivors were delivered through our prayers, however i know that it sure made a difference.
On a positive note, when working in the Red Cross donation call centre last week I took a $300 donation from a lady who gave her address as Innisfail Queensland. Innisfail is located much closer to Ps Kevin than where the fires are and I know in the last few years the people of Innisfail have experienced at least 3 natural disasters including Cyclones and Floods. Generosity like this must be Gods work!!!
God is Good all the time!
To have encouraging words, like those, in the midst of tragedy is completely leaning on faith and trusting God. Ps Kev, great reflection!
Hey Bellman
It is so true, everyday now stories are starting to flow in of amazing acts of generosity & miraculous escapes. Our God is so good, by his grace even out of disasters like he can work something good in our people & nations heart.
Where about's are you based my friend?
Bless ya heaps
Ps Kev
This is truly when you know God is at work in people's lives Pastor Kevin; when Spirit led folks like yourself, can look at devastation and find beauty in our Lord Jesus. You are an amazing example of a life truly led by Christ!
We in America, continue to send out our prayers to the Nation of Australia, and know that in the darkest of times; our Lord still REIGNS and is drawing hearts back home to Himself. Thanks to Bellman for the reports of prayer taking place in Oz, as well as your beautiful illustration Pastor Kevin. We love you and know that God has a purpose in Everything. May our Lord and Savior bring comfort and understanding that ONLY HIS GRACE can bring to everyone down under affected by these horrific brush fires.
Dear Ps Kev
i am located in Geelong Victoria. Geelong was lucky enough to be clear of the fires destruction, however we have had our share of scares in the Geelong region in the past.
The support that has been mustered up over the last two weeks has been the bright point among the sadness.
When I see the countless donations of time, money , goods and services that have occured it makes me very very proud to be an Australian..
Blessings back at you!!!