Listen:
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. Psalm 46:1-2, NIV
Reflect:
Ever since 2020 we have seen unprecedented events and changes in the world. Natural disasters, a pandemic, political and social unrest in countries everywhere. And now the military threats coming from North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran have never been greater. On New Year’s Eve I found myself scribbling a poem. Here is an excerpt, one stanza:
But oh, on the distant horizon
TwoThousandTwentyFour
come sounds of saber rattling, rumors of war
Nations, peoples, brash and bold
all scowling east as long foretold
See how they barely restrain their fury
as the underworld hurries, hurries, hurries
Regardless of where this year actually lands on God’s historical timeline, you can’t help but wonder if earth’s birth pangs are intensifying. If nothing else, they sure seem to be speeding up! In addition to the burdens that we carry personally, we wonder what kind of collective squeezing and pain may lie ahead.
And yet, whatever life may bring, the Lord is our safe place. My mother, who was a German teenage refugee during World War II, has said often, “You can lose your home, all your possessions, your family, your country, but if you have peace with God, you have everything.” He is our true home. Our true place of safety. Our only true security.
Even if the mountains were to collapse into the sea . . .
Prayer (from Psalm 61:1-2):
Lord, from the ends of the earth, I call to you. I call because sometimes my heart grows faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I am, that safe place beyond which I can reach. Oh my Father, my strong tower, be my ever-present help. Amen.
Questions to Ponder:
- What kinds of things tempt you to worry most?
- How has the Lord been your refuge and strength in the past?
- How do you see the Lord as your ever-present help and strength today?
—Submitted by Ruth Wood
Ruth is a US/Swiss citizen and lives with her husband in Oregon. They have two grown sons, two great daughters-in-law and one very spoiled grandcat. She works as a Licensed Professional Counselor and loves blogging at EspressoForTheHeart.org.