“God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea-storms and earthquakes, before the rush and roar of oceans, the tremors that shift mountains. Jacob-wrestling God fights for us, God-of-Angel-Armies protects us. – Psalm 46:1-3 (The Message).
Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase of the Psalmist’s words especially captures me this morning. Perhaps it is my realization of a recent onslaught of unexpected storms that I’m forced to face, and for which I have no control.
“We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom, courageous in sea-storms and earthquakes.” Sounds like a hero, a modern-day Rambo who has no fear of anything or anyone! However, a Hollywood script does not shape a “fear-defying persona” in the real world!
Unexpected urgencies test our faith. They are often as powerful as a raging storm and frightening as an earthquake. Suddenly, and often without warning, we discover we are on what seems like a precipice of disaster. We desire to be courageous, but the force and elements we face loom larger than our nerves.
I remember taking a walk on the beach once when it was cloudy and rainy, not a particularly good day to be at the ocean. The waves were high and the currents strong. It was stormy. As I watched the rhythm of the waves, I was reminded – and amazed – how God’s creation is under control. The tides rise and fall, the waves wash in and roll out.
That experience at the beach helps me dissipate my fear. I’m encouraged to remember:
While I may not be powerful, I’m not powerless! The God of Jacob is with me, and, to paraphrase Peterson’s words, the God-of-Angel-Armies, protects me.
Are you looking for a place to receive spiritual direction and encouragement in these challenging times? Please consider joining my mailing list. Each Wednesday you’ll receive my latest blog posts with practical content designed to support you in your life and faith.
Comments