In 1989, an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened Armenia, killing over 30,000 people in less than four minutes. In the midst of this tragedy, the heart of this loving father is a lesson to all.

In the midst of chaos and destruction, he rushed to his son’s school. But instead of a school, he found a shapeless heap of rubble. Imagine what went through his mind. In the case of this father, the sight of rubble and ruin made him spring into action. He ran to the back corner of the building where his son’s class used to be and began to dig. Why? What real hope did he have? What were the chances that his son could have survived such destruction? All he knew was that he had made a promise to always be there for his boy. It was this promise that animated his hands and motivated his heart.

As he began to dig, well-meaning parents tried to pull him out of the rubble saying: "It’s too late!" "They’re dead!" "You can’t help!" "Go home!" "There’s nothing you can do!" Then the fire chief tried to pull him off the rubble by saying, "Fires and explosions are happening everywhere. You’re in danger. Go home!" Finally, the police came and said, "It’s over. You’re endangering others. Go home. We’ll handle it!"

But this father continued to dig for eight ... 12 ... 24 ... 36 hours. Then, in the 38th hour, he pulled back a boulder and heard his son's voice. Immediately, he screamed, "ARMAND!" Back came the words, "Dad!? I told them! I told the other kids that if you were still alive, you’d save me! You promised me, you’d always be here for me! You did it, Dad!"²

The story of Armand’s dad is a wonderful and vivid image for God’s love. Over the past couple of weeks, we have been going through each trait of love from 1 Corinthians 13, and you find so many of them in this story. Just like this dad, our Heavenly Father keeps his promises. We can always count on Him being there for us. He never leaves us. He doesn’t give up on us when things get tough, instead He steps in and gives us strength to keep going. His love for us is unconditional and it NEVER fails.

Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for these examples of love that once again remind me of YOUR great love for me. Despite my failures or the tough situations that arise in my life, thank you for always keeping your promises. I know I can always count on you and trust you completely because you love me. As I receive and rest in your love, please help me practice loving others as well. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Lamentations 3:22 (ESV).

2. Taken from Max Lucado’s book, "He Still Moves Stones".