Let the Heavens Declare!

By John Hensman

I got my inspiration based on a Solar Eclipse that West Africa recently experienced (Wednesday 29th)

Scripture:
"The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat." Ps 19:1-6 (NAS)

We are a strange people. Many times we look to our own physical abilities and believe we have the aptitude to control any situation; we slap each other on the back when things go right, stating, “look at me…I did this!” When things go wrong, however, we complain and try to place blame on others as to not hurt our own reputations. Sometimes we may even be so bold as to question God asking “why He is not cooperating with our efforts to complete a certain task.”

Scripture again always places our abilities into the correct perspective. Yes, we can build widgets that proclaim our knowledge in technology, but we should always be humbled by God’s power.

On Wednesday the 29th of March 2006 there was a Solar Eclipse. Unlike others that have happened before, this one should hold some significant meaning to Mercy Ships. The Eclipse’s path came across West Africa, almost directly above Ghana. If one believes in a “glass half-empty verses half-full”, they would tend to look at the dark side of this event as those in this area have for centuries. But for Mercy Ships, we believe in God’s power to control events. Remember, “Let the heavens declare the glory of God.” God still expresses His power and shows His glory in everything…even heavenly bodies. For us, it might take an Eclipse once and awhile to acknowledge that He is still God and we are not. So, whether your day goes well or not, never stop giving Him the glory He desires.

There will (without doubt) be some additional unanswered dark days ahead for both the Anastasis and Africa Mercy that may force us to question why! Remember, for every dark day experience, it is but a prelude to God’s Son, who gives all light. God is still in control; we just need to just keep believing…there will be a brighter day tomorrow…in fact it is just around the corner.

To all who reads this…please continue to pray for our ministry as we move forward in Him, especially for resolution to ship concerns!