God Is With Us
Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders

Isaiah 8:10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. On the surface, New York is a place of devastation - a city torn apart. It's streets are full of large machinery trying to remove the debris from the large buildings that toppled in the aftermath of the air strike by the terrorists on Tuesday. The outlook is grim, probably no more people will be found alive. If there were some discovered still alive, it would be a miracle by God. On the surface, looking at the loss, things look grim. The city that once sported the tallest buildings in the world, now has empty space in its skyline. The streets, were thousands once walked to the Twin Towers to work each day, are now filled with debris and ash from the awful tragedy. Everywhere you look, it looks like a war zone. Charred remains of cars and fire engines line the streets. Firemen, policeman, and rescuers work constantly to try to find those that may be still alive. They are often finding only parts of bodies now, or perhaps nothing at all. This has to be the worse part of the tragic aftermath - wanting to find the people, and when they do, they are unable to be identified. So many families have been hit so hard, and they have nobody to bury - no loved one with whom they can have their last farewells. No matter how hard the situation gets, there is One to whom we can turn. Life seems to be a struggle, in times like these, yet, God is with us all the way. His hand is extended to the sad, the lonely, the depressed, the angry - however you may feel during this time of your life. His Word says that He will be a 'refuge in time of trouble'. [Psalm 9:9] He will never leave nor forsake you. He is a God of love. His Spirit lives within each Christian, and gives us strength to go on.

Heavenly Father, no matter how hard the path gets, we know you are there. We need only call upon your name and you will give us peace. Help us through these days of sorrow and bring back joy to our lives. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.