Morning Devotional

September 21, 2003

"The Great New England    Hurricane"  

by Don Emmitte

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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. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight to life. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them. (Psalm 19:1-11 NLT).

Hurricane Isabel is just about to run out of steam as it crosses the eastern seaboard as I write this devotional. Mary is in North Carolina and has been giving me reports on a regular basis. While the winds were not nearly as severe in her immediate area, there were many power outages with widespread flooding and damage on the coast. Modern meteorology has played a significant role in warning people of the approach of a storm so that they might prepare for it and thus prevent any great loss of life. Such has not always been the case. 

In fact, on this day in 1938, without warning, a powerful Category 3 hurricane slammed into Long Island and southern New England, causing 600 deaths and devastating coastal cities and towns. Also called the Long Island Express, the Great New England Hurricane of 1938 was the most destructive storm to strike the region in the 20th century. All told, 700 people were killed by the hurricane, 600 of them in Long Island and southern New England. Some 700 people were injured. Nearly 9,000 homes and buildings were destroyed, and 15,000 damaged. Nearly 3,000 ships were sunk or wrecked. Power lines were downed across the region, causing widespread blackouts. Innumerable trees were felled, and 12 new inlets were created on Long Island. Railroads were destroyed and farms were obliterated. Total damages were $306 million, which equals $18 billion in today's dollars, making the Great New England Hurricane the sixth costliest hurricane in US history. 

What a tragedy! However, what a greater tragedy it would be if we went into eternity unprepared because we had received no warning. God does give us many warnings along the way. The psalmist in this morning’s reading declares that each one of God’s fair laws serve as a warning. They are the caution lights of life. Are you paying attention? Those warnings point us to the grace of Jesus Christ to bring forgiveness to us before it is too late. Don’t be caught in the storm of His judgment. Trust Jesus today!