The Cajun Navy ∙

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The Cajun Navy ∙

Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help. – Proverbs 3:27

Galatians 6:9-10

 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone– especially to those in the family of faith.

On August 29, 2017, Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, made landfall on the Texas coast near Corpus Christi. Hurricane Harvey became catastrophic when it lingered in the vicinity of Houston for three days. A total of 60.5 inches of rain fell on Nederland, Texas, a record for a single storm. It dropped 50 inches of rain and flooded 28,000 square miles around Houston. Thousands of people were stranded in their homes, unable to escape the floodwaters.

The good-hearted people of Louisiana raised an armada to come to the aid of their neighbors in Texas. They were dubbed the Cajun Navy. This ad hoc group of volunteers were caring, generous, valiant, and committed to helping others with the resources they had at hand: boats. Their boats were neither pleasure cruisers nor naval combat ships. Instead, they were simple fishing boats, hunting boats, shallow draft boats, airboats, canoes, and kayaks. The Cajun Navy officially became an organization with a mission statement: “We the people of Louisiana refuse to stand by and wait for help in the wake of disasters in our State. We rise up and unite and rescue our neighbors!”

The Father’s standards are rather high, seemingly at times almost impossible. We are commanded to do good and be helpful to others. He requires that we live lives of goodwill and helpfulness. Whenever you are able to do so, do good to the person who is in need (Proverbs 3:27).

Solomon is telling us to do the right thing. That is, to act or behave correctly, appropriately, with the best intentions. Whatever is right, just, and fair should be the focus of our efforts and actions. We are to act with integrity, adhering to a moral and ethical standard of goodness and rightness.

“With integrity, you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity, you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt” (Zig Ziglar).

In light of our severe limitations being fallen creatures in a fallen world, we should cut each other a lot of slack. This is exactly what the Father has done for us.

Psalms 103:8-14

 8 The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love.

 9 He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.

 10 He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

 11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

 12 He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

 13 The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

 14 For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.

It is so natural to think, “They just don’t deserve it!” The Father left the whole issue of worth out of Proverbs 3:27.He didn’t tell us to run an incognito “Who is worthy?” contest. And then based upon the results, do what is right only to the winners who are worthy and deserving.

Where would we stand before the Father, if we had to win a prize to be worthy of His love and help?

REFLECT & PRAY

“But he doesn’t deserve it!” Neither do you, but God lavishes good things on you every day. We should look for ways to bless others, and so demonstrate to the world the boundless love of God” (Stanley).

Father, You help the helpless. One day, may my heart become more like Yours.

INSIGHT

The Father often helps people through other people. The Father knows all too well our propensity to feel inadequate, to retreat, and feel paralyzed. He wisely encourages us to use what we have, to help others.

The English phrase “in your power to do it,” in Hebrew, is literally “in your hands to do.” This is an idiomatic expression that simply means, “it is in your power” or “you have the ability.”

Seems like we always have stuff in our hands. He provides opportunities to make good use of it. He tells us to live wisely making the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16, Titus 3:8).

Galatians 6:9-10

 9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.

Whenever anyone needs help and you can help them, then never hesitate to do so (GECL).

The Father often asks questions of us. He doesn’t require information because He knows everything. His questions often help us to see both our resources and our opportunities.

Exodus 4:2 The LORD said to him [Moses], “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”

What is in your hands?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-10-9