Twisters & Tornadoes

“Sickness may come, but the Lord will give grace; poverty may descend on us, but grace will definitely be supplied; death must come, but grace will light a candle in the darkest hour.” – C.H. Spurgeon

That last phrase, “grace will light a candle in the darkest hour”, is especially relevant in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Actually, it wasn’t the hurricane itself with its high winds and storm surge that caused widespread havoc here in Florida. Instead, it was the dozens (if not hundreds) of tornadoes that spun off from the eye wall that created such catastrophic damage.

Several of the most powerful tornadoes struck within five miles of our 34-foot camper. The one in Lakewood Park overturned tractor trailers, ripped roofs off homes, and brought down too many trees to count. Another one in the Vero Highlands did similar damage. However, the tornado that struck Spanish Lakes was by far the most devastating as it destroyed virtually every manufactured home in its path. At last report, five people were killed, several more are missing, and more than 100 others were taken to the Lawnwood Hospital in Ft. Pierce to have their injuries treated.

As horrendous as the tornadoes were – and how heartsick we are to see such loss of life and property – it has been extremely encouraging to watch our community come together to minister to those most affected by Milton’s wrath. Scores of volunteers have cleared debris, provided portable generators for those without power, and prepared free hot meals.

My friend, as Charles Spurgeon said in today’s quote, sickness, financial challenges, and even death are inescapable parts of life. What we need in each instance is God’s grace to light the way and see us through our darkest hours.

Deanna and I lost power for three days, but that is nothing compared to what the people in Spanish Lakes experienced this past week… or what the folks in western North Carolina went through after Hurricane Helene. Thank God that organizations like Samaritan’s Purse were on the ground almost immediately to minister physically and spiritually to those in the greatest need.

Speaking of Samaritan’s Purse, a 54-year-old Christian organization founded by Bob Pierce and led by Franklin Graham since 1979, our church took up a special benevolence offering yesterday to benefit their disaster relief efforts. We also collected enough money to help our neighbors in Indian River and St. Lucie counties in tangible ways while establishing a “meal train” for a lady in our RV park who fell off her bike and broke three ribs and her kneecap.

Do what you can, as the hands and feet of Jesus, and allow God’s healing and saving grace to flow through you to a world in desperate need of His touch.

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead.” James 2:15-17 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President