In yesterday’s post I mentioned several troubling concerns. Today’s news is more unsettling. Another case of ebola has emerged. The Center for Disease Control is currently attempting to contact over 130 passengers who were on the same flight with the infected person on a trip from Cleveland to Dallas. The financial markets are in continuing turmoil. People are talking, your children are listening. What do you tell them?
What you and your children need to hear is that God is the place of safety no matter how challenging the circumstance. Note carefully the strength of the language in Psalm 46. Even though the ground gives way and mountains fall into the sea, God is your refuge. The Holy Spirit has chosen vivid, visual terms that evoke terror for anyone. And yet, even in the face earth’s best shot, the Psalmist says that God is your strength and refuge. You are never beyond his ability to help!
These words must calm your heart before they can bring confidence to your children. Tell your kids that God will be faithful regardless of what happens. You cannot promise ebola will be controlled. You cannot know if the financial markets will stabilize. But you do know your God will be there for you. Psalm 46 was written for you and for your children. It is a word that is strong and sure!
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5
God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46