Compassion for Haiti

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti this week has exacted a horrible human toll. One of my colleagues was just there last year to distribute nutritional supplements to the women and children's clinics. My heart goes out to her and those poor souls. Many of the women and children she met may well be dead or injured so I have been trying to console her. Just like my music ministry, when you physically touch and look into the eyes of those you are serving, you form a deep bond with the individual. It is a totally different level of caring than if you had never met them in person.

Some people are closing their hearts to this tragedy because of the voodoo, political corruption and lack of initiative of the Haitian people.

It made me think of Jonah's not wishing to warn the people of Nineveh of Yah's coming destruction: "In 40 days Nineveh will be overthrown!" Jonah went around the city shouting but was sick to death when the people repented and were spared. You see, Jonah despised these people as evil enemies of Israel. Now they were going to get what was coming to them! They deserved to be destroyed and Jonah was looking forward to it. When it didn't happen, Jonah became sullen and angry. His pride was hurt because he felt like a "false prophet" after what he foretold did not come to pass. Rather than rejoice at Yah's mercy he rebuked Him for it. Finally when God reasoned with Jonah, He said this...

"Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?" Jonah 4:11

This was a very wicked city. So wicked that it had incurred God's wrath and judgment. Still our loving Heavenly Father sent a prophet to warn them of their coming destruction. The result? The king down to his servants, all the people and even the animals were wearing sackcloth and ashes in repentance. God cared for both the people and the livestock because He made them all. Likewise we should show that same compassion and try to help other human beings in distress if it is in our power.

If we are not careful, we can become like Jonah. Hard-hearted, judgmental and lacking in compassion. The truth is, according to the Bible, Yahweh cares for the people and livestock of Haiti. While we have no obligation to line the pockets of corrupt officials and other parasites in that country, we can give to honorable organizations serving there such as the American Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. So the message is stop judging and start doing!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know that You care for the people of Haiti. Help me to avoid excuses not to help or be charitable. Out of one man and woman You have made every nation on earth, including Haiti. Please show them mercy and draw them to serve You. in Yeshua's name, Amen.