Japan's Distress...

"Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." (Isaiah 45:22)

The 9.0 earthquake centered off the coast of Northern Japan, the resulting tsunami, the aftershocks, and the crisis at the nuclear facility in Fukushima Dai-ichi continue to focus the world's attention on the sufferings of the Japanese nation and people. New cities and towns are etched on our minds; Sendai, Misawa, Miyako, Kamaishi, Otsuchi, Minami Samriku, and Ofunato; these are just a few of the places where the Japanese people have shown the world how to face disaster with dignity and noble-hearted courage.

We have seen them react to each new situation bravely, with heroism. We have watched them help each other and lift one another's burdens. We've seen them que up in an orderly manner to receive whatever rations (gas, food, medical supplies,) are available. Their children have borne up in the face of geiger counter checks, strange faces, dire circumstances, and having to be rescued from the ruins. One photo showed a small child with his family, huddled on salvaged, makeshift benches outside what was once their home, cooking on a grill and exposed to the elements. Another saw a little girl, perhaps two years old, being carried by rescue workers. Her family was nowhere to be seen. Yet another photo showed three teenagers rescuing a grandmother "piggy-back." Then, there are the 50 or so men who have laid their lives on the line to try to bring the nuclear situation under control. I find myself saluting the precious Japanese people and praying God's mercy and grace will be granted to them in a measure far exceeding that of their distress.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)