Readings for today: Isaiah 40-42, Psalms 46
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:1-11)
Our God is present. Our God shows up. Our God is with us though each and every circumstance of each and every day. He is never absent. Never too busy. Never asleep at the wheel. God never steps away from His throne. Never ceases to reign sovereign over all He has made. Never stops being in control. This is true when global pandemics rage. Racism rears its ugly head. Protests turn violent in the dark of night. It’s true no matter who gets elected. No matter who gets investigated. No matter what nefarious plans get put in place. Nations rage. Kingdoms totter. Tyrants fall. The Lord laughs. Mountains crumble. The earth trembles. The ocean roars and foams. None of it touches God. None of it threatens His dwelling place. God is our stability. God is our security. God is our sanity in the midst of this crazy world.
God lives in heaven. The control room of the universe. The world turns at His command. The sun rises and falls according to His will. The winds blow from the east to the west, from the north to the south at His bidding. God prepares storehouses for the snow. God digs reservoirs for the rain. He tills the ground to make it fruitful. He causes the bird and fish and animals to multiply on the earth. He charts the path for every single human being and He sets the course for every human society. Nations rise and fall before Him. Kingdoms come and go. Kings and rulers, prime ministers and presidents are all like the grass that’s here today and gone tomorrow. Only God is forever. Only God is eternal. Only God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
So be still. Rest in His presence. Be quiet. Let Him speak to your heart. Do not be anxious or afraid. He holds you in the palm of His hand. Do not fear. Your life is kept secure in the city of God. The holy habitation of the Most High. He will be your strength when you face challenges in this world. He will be a present help when you go through trouble. He will be with you when each morning dawns. You do not face this day alone. You are not going through this season alone. Your very life is not your own. God is exalting Himself even now in you and through you. God is making Himself known even now to you and through you. Everything we are facing is part of God’s eternal plan. He will be exalted on the earth. He will be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted in His church. He will be exalted in your life and in my life!
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 43-45, Psalms 80