Venezuela: Land of Grace 

Venezuela is commonly known as tierra de gracia, or “land of grace,” as Christopher Columbus called it upon his arrival at the Orinoco Delta in 1498 during his third expedition. He saw the potential. The country has the largest proved oil reserves in the world,[1] the eighth-largest natural gas reserves,[2] and the sixteenth of gold.[3] 

The current Venezuelan population is the product of a strong ethnic miscegenation and a very high margin of cultural syncretism. Venezuelans have always been known as kind, cheerful, frank, and open. At one time Venezuela was considered to have one of the happiest populations on the planet. 

However, for a few decades this “land of grace” has suffered the serious consequences of removing its eyes from the Creator, its maker, to serve other gods. In 2016 and 2017, Venezuela was the country with the largest economic dip, according to data from the International Monetary Fund, displacing nations such as Libya, Syria, and Yemen. It has become a refugee-generating country, a phenomenon that until now only appeared in territories in conflict. Currently, Venezuela meets all the characteristics of a nation in post-war chaos because of the social breakdown due to economic instability, lack of available health care, and food shortages. 

In Deuteronomy 30:19–20, God tells us we have a choice to make. God has given us free will for every aspect of our lives. Love, obedience, and commitment to Christ are the keys to living a life of blessing. The Venezuelan population is learning that even if they have natural resources, they can fall to ruin by choosing disobedience and breaking God’s heart. 

Life is a gift from God, and His Word is full of advice and instructions that urge us to seek and enjoy His love and blessings every day. Let us not allow temptations, pain, and suffering to cause us to fall into sin.

The Bible also says that where sin abounded, grace abounded even more. Therefore, no matter how many times we fall, God’s grace is always available to give us a new opportunity to choose the right thing—the blessing.

Prayer Requests

· Pray for the growing humanitarian crisis and current political situation. 

· Pray that the education system will be restored and improved.

· Pray that the Lord continues to advance His kingdom through the witness of His church.

    

[1] Robert Rapier, “Charting the Decline of Venezuela’s Oil Industry,” Forbes Media LLC, January 29, 2019, https://www.forbes.com/sites/rrapier/2019/01/29/charting-the-decline-of-venezuelas-oil-industry/#1ddae264ecd3.

[2] “The World’s Biggest Natural Gas Reserves,” Verdict Media Limited, November 11, 2013, https://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/features/feature-the-worlds-biggest-natural-gas-reserves/.

[3] Kike Briega, “What Is Really Happening With Venezuela’s Gold,” UFM Market Trends, March 3, 2019, https://trends.ufm.edu/en/article/gold-in-venezuela/.