Grace in Time of Need

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-6

I just returned last Tuesday from a tremendous trip to Haiti with a team from Virginia to help my brother Roger and his wife Margaret, who have been missionaries in Haiti for 25 years. While we were there, we helped put in the footings on a church that had collapsed, delivered food aid, ministered in four churches and in a tent camp. Over a million people are living in tents all over the city. Very little has been done in the way of cleaning up the debris from thousands of collapsed homes and businesses.

In the midst of this crisis of unimaginable magnitude, God by the power of His Spirit is breaking this stronghold of Satan, and thousands are coming to Christ. My brother Roger’s churches have more than doubled in size. An evangelist friend of mine named Joel, who has been in Haiti for 34 years, says he has never seen so many turn to Christ. This year the annual demonic Mardi Gras was canceled and replaced by three days of national prayer. You can see a clip of it on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30rWm84z-zg God spoke to me before going to Haiti that He wanted to bring glory to His name in the earth through His people in Haiti, just as He brought glory to His name in delivering His people out of Egypt. He also said that where there is great need, there is great grace. God wants to raise up a new church in Haiti out of the rubble. You can read more in my brother's blog www.newlifehaiti.blogspot.com

As I spoke with Haitians in these tent camps, I was amazed at God’s grace upon these people in time of need. Almost everyone I spoke with had lost their home, loved ones and friends. One lady was at church when the quake hit, and when she got home she found her house collapsed and her husband and two of her children dead. I spoke with a grandmother who lost her home, her daughter, and four grandchildren. As I spoke with them in front of a little make-shift tent, they smiled at me and expressed their faith in God. Despite all their problems, the Haitian people have an unshakable faith in God that exemplifies Romans 5:1-6.

Paul said, “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” The Haitian people who have no resources have access to a wealth of God’s grace in time of need because of an unshakable faith in God. If we are not careful, we can put our faith is in our governments, economic system, health system, job, support base, etc. In these changing times, God is calling us to put our trust totally in him, so that in time of need we will have access to the abundance of His grace. This grace that He offers not only sustains us in time of need, but enables us to be triumphant.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 1:3

Your servant in Christ,

Andy Clark