Comfort in the Wake of the Storm
Dear Friend,
In my role as president of Samaritan’s Purse, I’ve spent more than 40 years seeing firsthand the shock, loss, pain, grief, bewilderment, and despair that disasters—both natural and manmade—leave behind. I’ve dedicated my life to responding to these life-changing events, leading our ministry to bring physical and spiritual relief to survivors in Jesus’ Name.
Disasters are not going to stop happening. We all can be assured that, as we go down life’s road, we will face storms—storms that bring pain and loss; storms that leave aching hearts, broken lives, and shattered hopes in their wake; storms that turn our brightest dreams into our worst nightmares.
These difficult events remind us that we are small and vulnerable compared with the unpredictable and uncontrollable forces of nature. They remind us of the brevity of life and the urgency of making sure that we’re ready to stand before God at a moment’s notice.
We need to focus not on what can be torn down by the storms of life but on what stands for eternity—the image of the Cross that reaches across the centuries and down through the ages to this present time, reminding us of God’s love for all mankind.
This is the love described in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Friend, God loves you so much that He wants you to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. That is the reason Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world—to take away our sins. He did this by taking upon Himself the punishment you and I deserve through His death on the Cross. But Jesus didn’t stay on the Cross. God raised Him from the dead, and His resurrection gives us hope—hope for this life, and hope beyond the grave.
The love of God is stronger than sin—stronger than death itself—and stronger than any storm you will ever face.
The question each of us must answer is this: What is my life’s foundation?
Is your life built on the solid Rock that will withstand the winds, the rains, and the floods of time? That Rock, that sure foundation, is Jesus Christ. There is no storm He cannot control, conquer, or carry us through— because He is the living Lord.
May God bless you.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
President, Samaritan’s Purse
BUILD ON THE ROCK: Follow the Romans Road to Salvation
Every person is a sinner, by nature and by choice. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.—Romans 3:23
Jesus Christ is the source and provider of eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 6:23
God shows His love for us through Christ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:8
We must place our faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord. That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.—Romans 10:9-10
Salvation is something that we can know for sure For “whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”—Romans 10:13
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST NOW?
You can pray a prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I know that I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Have you made a decision?
If you’ve received Jesus Christ, please feel free to use the following resource from our sister organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, to help you in your growth as a Christian:
GROWING IN CHRIST: Next Steps
God wants us to dedicate ourselves to loving and following Him. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.—2 Chronicles 16:9
We can’t do it alone—the Lord is our guide. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.—Ephesians 3:20-21
We can rely on God to strengthen and lead us according to His will. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10
Prayer is how we communicate with God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hear us.—1 John 5:14
God is faithful to be with us always. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. … And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:13, 19
God wants us to grow in our faith. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.—Ephesians 6:10
Hard times may come in this world, but God promises us an eternity with Him. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.—Hebrews 10:35-36
Telling others about Jesus isn’t always easy, but it is the most important thing we can say.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.—1 Corinthians 1:18
For You have been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat.—Isaiah 25:4a
