On September 17, 1928, a hurricane struck the Florida coast. The eye of it passed not too many miles south of Hobe Sound. It later became known as the Okeechobee hurricane and was one of the deadliest hurricanes ever in the recorded history of the North Atlantic.

It made landfall near West Palm Beach. As it made landfall, it destroyed over 1,700 homes in the area. The wind affected the Jupiter Lighthouse so that the mortar was reportedly “squeezed like toothpaste” between the bricks during the storm. The worst of the damage was near Lake Okeechobee. When the storm crossed the lake, the south-blowing wind created a storm surge which flooded hundreds of square miles. There was as much as 20 feet of water in some places.

It is estimated that 2,500 people died, but most experts concede that number is only a guess. Okeelanta, a town a few miles south of the Lake was completely destroyed, and never rebuilt.

It was a devastating storm, and is still talked about by descendants of survivors.

You have probably encountered such storms in your life. I’m not talking about high winds, homes being destroyed and lives being lost. I’m thinking about unexpected phone calls that changed your life. The doctor’s office calls with grim results. The hospital calls saying that your loved one was involved in an accident. The sheriff’s office informs you that your son or daughter did something that has consequences. The list could go on and on.

Devastating storms that leave us breathless and hanging on for dear life. During these situations we need help that isn’t ordinary, we need divine help.

Recently I was reading these words from Isaiah 41:10. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. God was speaking to Israel in this passage, but the words encouraged my soul!

Today, I don’t know what storms you are going through. Maybe it is even the storm of the century for you. In the midst of your despair, cry out to Jesus.

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