I have been following the news of the terrible aftermath of hurricane Helene. My family lived through a hurricane that hit New Orleans when I was in the first or second grade. I still remember the terror of not knowing what would happen. One story I came across in particular is worth sharing.

As the flooding hit Ashville, North Carolina, Meghan Drye was on the roof of her house with her parents and her seven-year-old son Micah. While they were waiting to be rescued, the flowing water destroyed the house underneath them. They were swept into the waters and quickly separated. Meghan was the only one who survived. She told reporters that as Micah was being pulled away from her by the current, he didn’t cry out for her. She said he cried out to Jesus to save him.

In the midst of her indescribable grief, she shared how she was comforted knowing that her parents and her son were indeed saved by Jesus. Because of their trust in their Lord and Savior, Meghan and her two sisters know that their parents and Micah were rescued from sin and death by Jesus. The link to the story is at the end of this devotion.

As part of the interview, they sisters shared how they grew up learning memory verses, and quoted together this passage.

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

I encourage you to pray for this family and all the others devastated by this storm. I also encourage you to offer yourselves and your time during the clean up and recovery efforts that will be ongoing for many months. There will be a great need in the wake of this storm. Cheryl and I have helped with Disaster Response many times over the years, but our current situation prevents us from helping until December. If you are the least bit inclined to lend a helping hand, please do so. You will be a blessing and you will also be blessed by doing so. It is an opportunity for you to be the hands and feet and arms of Jesus to those in need.

When I heard about little Micah calling out to Jesus, I prayed the words of this hymn. Note especially stanzas 4 and 6.

Oh, for a faith that will not shrink Tho’ pressed by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink Of poverty or woe;

That will not murmur nor complain Beneath the chast’ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain Can lean upon its God;

A faith that shines more bright and clear When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear, In darkness feels no doubt;

That bears unmoved the world’s dread frown Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin’s wild ocean cannot drown Nor Satan’s arts beguile;

A faith that keeps the narrow way Till life’s last spark is fled
And with a pure and heavenly ray Lights up the dying bed.

Lord, give us such a faith as this; And then, whate’er may come,
We’ll taste e’en now the hallowed bliss Of an eternal home.

The Lutheran Hymnal #396

https://www.foxweather.com/extreme-weather/asheville-mother-loses-son-helene-floods-north-carolina

Thank you Lord for calling Micah and his grandparents to be your own and for taking them to be with you forever.