When the Earth Trembles, Let Our Hearts Be Moved

Over the past several days, I have read about earthquakes that have brought death, destruction, and heartbreak to families across the world. Every headline tells of another home reduced to rubble, another child searching for a parent, another husband or wife grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved.

As I read these reports, my heart is moved with compassion.

Like many of you, I am not in a position to travel across the ocean to help clear away the debris. I cannot personally rebuild a home or restore what has been lost. I may not have great wealth to send to relief organizations.

But there is something every child of God can do.

We can pray.

The Bible tells us,

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Sometimes bearing another person's burden means rolling up our sleeves and going to work. At other times, it means falling on our knees before Almighty God and crying out for His mercy and comfort.

Today, there are thousands of hurting souls who need our prayers.

Some have lost husbands and wives.

Some have buried children.

Others have no home to return to.

Many are sitting in shelters wondering how they will face tomorrow.

While we may never know their names, God knows every one of them.

David wrote,

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

What a comfort those words are.

When the earth beneath your feet begins to shake, it can seem as though everything you depended upon has disappeared. Buildings fall. Roads crack. Possessions vanish in a matter of seconds.

But there is one Rock that never moves.

The Lord Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.

The psalmist declared,

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed..."

Psalm 46:1-2 (KJV)

Notice those words: "a very present help."

Not a distant help.

Not a forgotten help.

A present help.

God is present in the hospital room.

He is present beside the pile of broken stones that was once a family home.

He is present beside those who weep over fresh graves.

He is present when the long night seems too dark to endure.

To those who have suffered because of these earthquakes, please know that many believers around the world are praying for you. We may never meet you on this side of eternity, but our hearts are joined with yours in your sorrow.

We pray that God will give you strength when your own strength has failed.

We pray He will surround you with people who will help carry your burdens.

We pray He will provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless, healing for the injured, and peace for the brokenhearted.

Most of all, we pray that in this hour of suffering you will discover the comfort that only Christ can give.

Paul reminds us,

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation..."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (KJV)

The God who comforts His children has not changed.

He still hears every prayer.

He still sees every tear.

He still knows every broken heart.

A Country Preacher's Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Today I lift before You every family affected by these earthquakes. Comfort those who mourn. Strengthen those who are weary. Protect the rescue workers searching for survivors. Provide for those who have lost everything they owned.

Wrap Your everlasting arms around those whose hearts have been shattered by grief. May they know that even in the darkest valley, You have not abandoned them.

Raise up compassionate people to help meet their needs, and remind all of us that we are called to bear one another's burdens. Give us hearts that are quick to pray, quick to love, and quick to show mercy.

May many find hope in Jesus Christ, the only sure foundation that cannot be shaken.

For it is in His precious name we pray.

Amen.

May we never become so busy with our own lives that we fail to notice the suffering of others. We may not be able to remove every burden, but we can help carry it through our prayers, our compassion, and our love.

When the earth trembles, let the people of God stand firm—not only in faith, but in compassion.

When the Church Becomes About Me Instead of Christ

One of the saddest warnings ever written to the church came from the Apostle Paul as he penned his final letter to young Timothy. Paul was not merely describing the wickedness of the pagan world. He was warning Timothy about the spirit that would creep into those who professed the name of Christ.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves..."

—2 Timothy 3:1-2 (KJV)

Notice the first sin Paul mentions. He did not begin with murder, drunkenness, or immorality. He began with self-love.

The spirit of "me first."

That spirit has become one of the greatest dangers facing the modern church.

Many church services today are designed around making people feel comfortable, entertained, and personally fulfilled. Sermons often focus almost entirely on how God can bless us, prosper us, solve our problems, and make us happier. While God certainly cares about His children, the central message of Christianity has never been about exalting the self. It has always been about exalting Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist understood this when he declared,

"He must increase, but I must decrease."

—John 3:30 (KJV)

Somewhere along the journey, many believers have reversed that order.

Today, Christ is expected to increase our comfort while we increase ourselves.

The Missing Cross

Jesus never invited men to build a comfortable life around themselves.

He said,

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

—Luke 9:23 (KJV)

Notice the first command.

Deny yourself.

Yet we live in an age that teaches us to satisfy ourselves, promote ourselves, defend ourselves, and place ourselves first.

That philosophy has quietly entered many churches.

Whatever Happened to Bearing One Another's Burdens?

The early church was known for its love.

When one believer suffered, everyone felt the pain.

When one rejoiced, everyone celebrated.

Paul wrote,

"Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ."

—Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

Today, many believers barely know the names of those sitting across the aisle.

It is possible to worship in the same building for years and never truly know the struggles, tears, or victories of the people beside us.

The family of God has become, in many places, a gathering of individuals instead of a fellowship of burden-bearers.

Love Has Grown Cold

Jesus warned that one of the signs preceding His return would be a decline in genuine love.

"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."

—Matthew 24:12 (KJV)

Cold love is not always open hatred.

Sometimes it is simply indifference.

It is walking past hurting people without noticing.

It is hearing prayer requests without praying.

We are more concerned about our own comfort than someone else's suffering.

The Church Is Called to Be Different

The world teaches us to look out for ourselves.

Christ teaches us to look after others.

Jesus said,

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

—John 13:35 (KJV)

The mark of a true disciple is not found in a church building, a denomination, or even knowledge of doctrine.

It is found in genuine Christlike love.

Love that forgives.

Love that serves.

Love that sacrifices.

Love that bears burdens.

Love that refuses to make everything about self.

A Time for Self-Examination

Rather than asking what is wrong with the world, perhaps we should ask what is happening inside the church.

Have we become consumers instead of servants?

Have we become spectators instead of workers?

Have we become more interested in receiving than giving?

Have we become more concerned about our preferences than God's glory?

These are questions every believer should honestly ask.

Paul reminded the church,

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

—Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV)

That sounds very different from the spirit of our age.

A Country Preacher's Final Thought

I have lived long enough to remember when church members carried casseroles to grieving families, spent nights praying for the sick, visited shut-ins, and wept over lost souls. They did not ask, "What am I getting out of church?" They asked, "How can I encourage someone today?"

The church is at its strongest when Christ is at the center, and the self is on the cross.

Perhaps the greatest revival our churches need today is not bigger buildings, better music, or more programs.

Perhaps we need to fall in love with Jesus again.

When Christ is exalted, the self is humbled.

When the self is humbled, burdens are shared.

When burdens are shared, love flourishes.

And when love flourishes, the world once again sees Jesus living through His people.

May God help us to be known not for how well we serve ourselves, but for how faithfully we love one another for the glory of our Savior.

Two Enemies That Destroy Faith: Loneliness and Depression

 One of Satan's oldest tactics has never changed. He knows he cannot steal your salvation, but he will do everything within his power to rob you of your joy, weaken your faith, and make you feel as though God has forgotten you. Two of his greatest weapons are loneliness and depression.

People are sitting in church every Sunday, surrounded by others, yet they feel completely alone. They smile on the outside while carrying a heavy burden on the inside. Some have lost a spouse. Others have watched children leave home. Some have lost their health, their purpose, or dear friends. As the years pass, the circle of life grows smaller, and loneliness quietly settles into the heart.

Then comes depression. It whispers lies that no one cares, that tomorrow will never be better than today, and that God has somehow abandoned His child. If those lies are believed long enough, faith begins to weaken.

The Bible reminds us that we are not the first to fight these battles.

David often poured out his heart before the Lord.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

— Psalm 42:11 (KJV)

David did not deny his discouragement. Instead, he preached to his own soul and reminded himself where hope was found—in God.

Even Elijah, one of the greatest prophets who ever lived, became overwhelmed after his victory on Mount Carmel. He fled into the wilderness, sat beneath a juniper tree, and asked the Lord to let him die.

"It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life."

— 1 Kings 19:4 (KJV)

Elijah believed he was the only faithful servant left. Yet God gently reminded him that there were seven thousand who had not bowed their knee to Baal. Elijah's loneliness had distorted his vision. His feelings were real, but they were not telling him the truth.

How many Christians today believe the same lie? They think they are fighting alone when God has faithful people they have never even met who are praying, serving, and standing for the truth.

That is one reason the writer of Hebrews gave this command:

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another."

— Hebrews 10:25 (KJV)

Christian fellowship is not optional; it is one of God's medicines for the lonely heart. We need one another. Sometimes a handshake, a hug, a kind word, or someone saying, "I've been praying for you," can lift a burden that has become almost unbearable.

An Illustration

Many years ago, while camping in the mountains, I learned an important lesson about fire. Before going to bed, I stirred the campfire until it was burning brightly. One glowing coal rolled away from the others. At first, it looked just as hot as the rest. But within a few minutes, it became dark, cold, and lifeless.

The other coals remained together and continued to burn with great heat.

I picked up that lonely coal with a stick and pushed it back into the middle of the fire. Within moments, it began to glow again.

That is exactly what happens to many Christians.

When they separate themselves from God's people, they slowly lose their spiritual warmth. Prayer becomes difficult. The Bible gathers dust. Joy disappears. Hope begins to fade.

But when they return to fellowship with believers, hear the preaching of God's Word, pray with God's people, and worship together, the fire begins to burn again.

Satan wants to isolate you because isolated Christians are easier to discourage.

God's Answer

Jesus gave us a promise that has comforted believers for centuries.

"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

— Hebrews 13:5 (KJV)

Loneliness may tell you no one is with you, but Christ says He will never leave you.

Depression may tell you there is no hope, but Christ says:

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

— Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

The answer is not found in withdrawing from God but in drawing closer to Him.

Open your Bible.

Bow your knees in prayer.

Find faithful Christian fellowship.

Speak with a trusted believer.

Sing the old hymns.

Count your blessings.

The devil wants you sitting beneath the juniper tree, believing all is lost. God wants you standing upon the Rock, looking unto Jesus, "the author and finisher of our faith."

Friend, if loneliness or depression has found its way into your life, don't fight the battle alone. Reach out to another believer. Let someone pray with you. The same Lord who restored David, strengthened Elijah, and encouraged the Apostle Paul is still walking beside His children today.

The fire has not gone out.

Move back toward the fellowship of God's people, and let the Lord warm your heart once again.