Wednesday, August 12, 2026From the news

Refuge in the Rubble: God's Unshakable Presence

Amid the heartbreak of Colombia's earthquake, Scripture reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, drawing near to the brokenhearted with comfort that endures beyond the shaking earth.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

Dear friend, as we wake to the heartbreaking news from Colombia, our hearts ache with those whose world has literally crumbled. A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck on Monday, claiming at least 181 lives—perhaps more—and leaving nearly 2,600 injured, 200 missing, and thousands homeless in cities like Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. Rescue workers toil against the clock, sifting through rubble for survivors, while aftershocks rattle nerves and force families to huddle outdoors in fear. Buildings have collapsed, trapping buses and trucks, and the simple act of moving through the city center has become perilous. In the shock of it all, mayors urge calm amid rumors, and leaders declare emergencies, as international aid pours in from neighbors and afar. It's a scene of profound loss and uncertainty, where the ground itself betrays the trust we place in it.

In moments like these, when the earth gives way and mountains seem to tumble into the sea, we turn to the unchanging Word of God. Psalm 46 paints a picture eerily familiar to those in Colombia today: 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.' These ancient words were written for times just like this—not to deny the terror, but to declare a refuge stronger than any quake. God Himself is that shelter, a strength we can run to when concrete fails and aftershocks remind us of our fragility.

We know the pain is real. Families wait in agony for word of loved ones buried under debris. In Pereira's Parque Industrial neighborhood, residents speak of shock and impossibility, their daily lives upended. Homes—over 1,100 destroyed, 8,000 damaged—are more than structures; they hold memories, security, the quiet routines of life. Jesus sees every tear, every crushed spirit. He echoes this in the Beatitudes: 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' Not a distant blessing, but a promise of divine nearness. And Psalm 34:18 assures us, 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' Right there in the rubble, amid the rescuers' calls and the night's fearful vigils, God draws near—not with explanations, but with Himself.

This is the heart of our faith in Jesus Christ: grace that meets us in the mess. He who calmed the storm and wept at Lazarus's tomb understands suffering intimately. He invites us, even now, to cast our anxieties on Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). For those in Colombia, let this truth steady trembling hands: rescuers may tire, aid may flow slowly, but God's help is ever-present. Take heart, weary one—whether you're reading this from a safe distance or perhaps among the affected. In Christ, our ultimate home is not in buildings that collapse, but in the eternal city whose foundations cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).

Let us remember these promises today. As you sip your morning coffee or face your own trials, whisper Psalm 46 over the headlines. Pray for the rescuers' endurance, the missing to be found, the injured to heal. And rest in this: no earthquake can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). He is building something beautiful from these broken pieces—a testimony of faith rising from the ruins. You're not alone in this world of shakes and sorrows; your Savior holds you fast.