Turn on the news at any moment or follow social media and it can be overpowering. It’s as though the world has gone mad; chaos and problems seem to reign supreme. Fear can invade our hearts with the overwhelming circumstances in the world.
The ongoing pandemic that has ravaged our world, our economies, and even many families and lives has caused fear and loss. Some have had mild cases of the Covid, while sadly others have lost loved ones unexpectedly to this disease. Like my friends, Kim, and Ember, that now try to navigate their world without their husbands. Or like my friends, Anne, and Kris, who lost their mothers last year to Covid. Where is their hope in times of loss and sorrow? And when so many are struggling to pay their bills or find work after they lost their jobs during the pandemic, like several of my family members, where is their confidence?
For all these people, their faith is grounded in Christ. Though shaken, they are still standing strong. Where is your hope placed while the pandemic still rages? Only God can give us a peace that surpasses all understanding…
And the evening news lead story shows wildfires that rage out of control in California and leave a path of destruction in their wake. We watch in horror as entire communities are destroyed with loss of lives, property, jobs, and more. Our friend Steve was literally out jogging and soon had to run for his life as the unexpected flames were hot on his heels. Our family member, Jillian, had to evacuate and leave California as her dream job and career went up in smoke.
We need the security of something more than the things of this life that can endure beyond what is consumed by fire. We need eternal security…
We’ve watched the media in dismay as the earthquake in Haiti left untold thousands homeless and people digging through the rubble searching for loved ones or trying to salvage what little remained of their possessions, homes, and lives. And the appeal for help just for clean water and food is overwhelming to watch this nation shaken once again by destruction.
It seems as though everything that can be shaken is being shaken. There must be a ROCK greater than the mountains--a faith that cannot be destroyed when all else is quaking. His Name is Jesus…
The evening news and social media has been filled with harrowing stories of escape and evacuation from the country of Afghanistan as we’ve seen desperate families and people try to escape the chaos of a country overrun by the Taliban. Horrifying images of people falling from planes, and desperate people standing in raw sewage crying out for help and deliverance, have tugged at our hearts. Most people fled with just the clothing on their backs and the lucky ones boarded planes to an unknown destination and future. Then there was the bombing that killed our marines, soldiers, others, and innocent civilians trying to escape the coming persecution. And fear grips our hearts for the countless Americans and Afghans refugees left behind. Where is God in all the chaos? How can we help these unknown refugees? Our hearts are moved to tears and compassion for the brave and fallen warriors, their families, and innocent people killed, and now this mass of new refugees.
God is their only help, hope, comfort, and peace in a chaotic world gone mad. He is a refuge for the oppressed. He is a shelter to the needy. He is our only hope as well...
While we see all this news unfolding, Hurricane Ida has slammed the Gulf Coast of the U.S. bringing waves of destruction, flooding, loss of lives, homes, property, and untold damage on the exact same date of Katrina years before. Millions are without power. Many without water too. While the levees held, the power grid did not. Now comes a devastating heat wave that is just as dangerous without air conditioning or fans. Thousands of people, if not more, along the coast had to evacuate like the young family I met at a park yesterday while hiking. Leticia and her husband had to flee with their four young children, dogs, and the few possessions they could pack up. She said, “We already lost our home in the last hurricane. We don’t know if we will have a home to go back to when this is all over.” Yet she was able to smile and place her trust in God and play with her children at the park. She even commented that Little Rock was so beautiful and that they had never been to Arkansas.
When the storms of life rip through us unexpectedly leaving a wave of destruction in its path, we must have a sure and firm foundation able to withstand the storms of life…
The only peace we can find in a chaotic world is in the WORD made Flesh that came to dwell with us. Jesus is our only hope in a pandemic, in fires, in earthquakes, in nations overthrown or in chaos, in floods and hurricanes, in loss, and more. He is the only sure foundation. He is the peace that surpasses all understanding. He is our hope in times of need…
Beloved:
Come to Me all who are weary, heavy-laden, and distressed and find rest for your troubled hearts. Though the world is shaking, I am your Hope and your Peace. I am your Shelter, your Confidence, your Provider, your Healer, your Deliverer, your Protection, your Comforter, your All. Though everything around you is being shaken, you can find rest and even peace in Me. Let not your hearts be troubled for long, for I am with you, I am for you. Build your life on the sure foundation that nothing can destroy: that is the Rock Christ Jesus.
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it has been founded on the rock.” (Matthew 7: 24-25)
“Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
