After a week of fires engulfing sections of Los Angeles, what word might fit this year?

“Armageddon” is apropos, but not exactly helpful.

A woman who survived the Napa Valley, Sonoma County fires in 2017 was deeply struggling with PTSD five years later. “Armageddon” was a word she used to describe her experience. She had barely escaped alive. That fire had changed direction and her neighborhood which had been deemed safe across a 6-lane freeway was suddenly engulfed in flames. She was escaping when the house across the street caught fire and literally blew up. 

“Lord, have mercy.”

Although nothing can replace all that has been turned to ashes, and there is much to grieve for many, still there have been the glimpses of beauty. The demonstration of mercy. People are serving one another. Actors have stepped up with their time and financial resources to assist others. Prayers being prayed and published. This is grace and mercy amidst the rubble.

So, let’s continue to pray for our brothers and sisters in Los Angeles. This morning, I prayed Peter Greig’s prayer he posted on Instagram.

Pray with me:

“Jesus of Nazareth, God of Golgotha, Just days ago these people were celebrating (in homes they’ve lost, some with loved ones they’ve lost) your coming at Christmas. Come again I pray to this broken world. Sit with those suffering in the City of Angels, weep with us in the valley of devastation.

 “Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy…

“Creator God, I ask you for meteorological miracles — an urgent change to the Santa Ana winds, the visitation of rain. Protect and strengthen first responders and firefighters working ceaselessly to quell the flames… Renew them I pray with supernatural strength.

“Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy…

“Consuming Fire, We are brought to our knees confronted by the fragility of life. Let salvation arise from devastation. Lord of Los Angeles, God of the Angel Armies, rescue us. Deliver us. Save us… that we may turn again to you.

“Kyrie Eleison, Lord have mercy…”

(Originally posted by @Pete.Greig on Instagram)

From the fires, the devastation, the need for mercy, the losses and grief, I look at 2025 and realize hope will be my word.

Not the anemic hope of wishful thinking.

Not hope placed in how events will turn out.

But the “anchor for the soul” kind of hope the author wrote about in Hebrews 6:19:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure.

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus,

has entered on our behalf.”

This is tangible and solid hope placed on the action of Jesus. This is hope stationed upon God’s good purposes and promises.

I want to be established and set upon such hope for anything else is far too transient, a fire or a wind can take it away. 

May you know this hope as well. And may the Lord lead you to choose a word to remember and live by into 2025.