2 Kings 19:31
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
One week before Christmas, tropical storm Sendong swept Southern Philippines leaving 1,236 dead and and still 1,079 missing. In Antipolo City, three days before Christmas, an 18-wheeler truck plowed a row of houses, leaving 8 people dead, including a 1 year old boy. On Christmas morning in Connecticut U.S.A., CNN reported a housefire trapping two adults and three children inside. These are tragic stories, highlighted by the fact that it all happened in what we call ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. We can’t help but grieve and question why. But what we often fail to see is heaven’s grace on the far end of the stats: 69,287 in evacuation centers, 12 injuries treated in hospitals, and 2 people who came out of the house alive. Makes me think: shouldn’t survivors be the headliners instead?
With the fall of northern Israel in Assyrian hands, Judah, at the time of Hezekiah faced the same threat – EXILE. Phase one, in the form of a siege, was operational here. Their water supply was already cut and with no way in or out, famine was sure next. In prolonged sieges, many would rather die than being eaten alive. Sennacherib’s arrogant offer was an easy surrender. An admittance that Assyria was more powerful than God Himself. Despite all pressures, Hezekiah never lost his faith. And God honored him with a sign of deliverance: REMNANTS. It was Israel’s hope in Assyria, and soon, Judah’s in Babylon. A time where God will gather a band of survivors back to Himself. With God’s zeal sealing it, t’was their only light in darkness, the good news amidst the bad.
It is again the time of the year when we all look back twelve months past and rate it as good or bad. Emotional quotients, trending news and support groups do have a great deal of influence on our tally sheets. The sum total will definitely dictate our attitudes in facing the new year. But given the facts and figures of the hardships we’ve had - in bold prints - the tendency is for us to headline 2012 as another cycle of rocks. But aren’t we all still breathing, at least? We’ve always been proud to have been tagged as the smiling nation amidst fire and floods. We’re seasoned survivors! God may have allowed tragedies to happen, but are we even aware how many did He withhold in mercy? He may have taken lives from us, but have we considered they were first and foremost given? Choose to count those blessings. And believe there’s more to come. Say it with me: I’m a 2011 survivor! I have reasons to praise. More reasons to hope :>
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