I Believe in Nashville!

1 Kings 19:11-12 King James Version (KJV)

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

This week we have all been touched by the pictures and images of the terrible wind, the Tornadoes that struck without warning in the middle of the night! Of course our prayers are with the victims and their families for comfort and to provide them shelter, food and support! Over the years I have seen many storms of life, including several hurricanes and tornadoes and usually, there will be someone standing in the ruins who looks up to ask God why?

My friends, God did not send the wind and storm to harm these people. The Earth was given to us for stewardship long ago, but we lost our ownership when Satan tempted Adam and Eve and caused them to fall. Satan is the prince and power of the Air and uses these things to cause fear so that he can manipulate the lives of so many into defeat. Defeat does not begin with battles lost, it begins with fear and that is the goal of the enemy of us all.

Elijah was afraid of Jezebel, that witch who had threatened to kill him and he ran in fear and finally gave up in defeat, but God showed him a great wind, an Earthquake and a fire, but the Lord was not in any of these things, but was a still small voice reminding Elijah that he was not alone, that there is always a remnant who have not bowed their knee in fear!

Years ago I met a man after Hurricane Katrina, Luke Scianna, who was rebuilding his home and we were there to help him with the clean-up. Luke shared with me that the water flooded his home and as his home filled with water, his wife, Janet and daughter were able to squeeze through a small window, but he was too large to fit. With tears running down his face he told me his wife, Janet, was terminally ill with cancer and needed him so when the water overwhelmed him, he sank down, praying for God to deliver him so he could care for his dear wife. Luke thought he was to die when a bright light suddenly appeared and the warmth of the body enveloped him and suddenly he was outside with light above him and he was rising to the surface! Janet and his daughter were hanging on to the roof of the house and they were able to pull him up! Luke told me that God had sent His angel to save him! He told me that God was not in the wind or the flood, but was the voice inside him that said: I love you Luke and I will never leave you!

While watching the montage of video yesterday, I saw one that really touched me! It was a broken building with the roof tore off, but had a mural surviving the storm like a message from God above:

I Believe in Nashville. My friends, I was born in Nashville, ironically in Baptist Hospital, and I know God believes in Nashville, but the question is, Does Nashville believe in Him? God was not in the Storm, but is in the still small voice that says: I will never leave you! I will supply all your needs according to my riches in glory! I know God believes in Nashville, for Nashville is a part of His creation! God Loves you Nashville and will supply all your needs during this time and in the times to come!