8/28/11 God our refuge

1 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. (Psalm 46:1-3)
 
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

(Map of Hurricane Irene- larger than Europe)

Thoughts: Our savior is pretty weak. Not Jesus- but the one/thing that so many put their trust in.  At the coming of the hurricane, people are trusting in the evacuation order to keep them safe; the weather channel to help them know and understand the future; and the national guard to keep the things that they have given themselves too safe. 
But the scriptures tell us that we do not have to trust in such weak help.  God is always there. providing refuge and strength for us- courage in the face of the earthquakes and storms of life.  Jesus did not just ride out the storm with them, He calmed it.  But our view of Jesus is so weak and secular and unbelieving.  We are afraid of being disappointed with our God if we trust Him as if He could do something about our situation.  The Church in America will always languish until we start believing in God again, calling out to Him again.  If we do not really believe in God's ability to help/bless/punish then our view of God is pitifully weak and we have little faith, little hope, and really little ability to love God (for He does nothing for us, and becomes quite impersonal, uncaring, and weak).  Because God delivers, we can be still before Him and know He is God.

Prayer: May we trust in you in the midst of Irene; in the midst of our earthquakes; in the midst of the problems of life.  May we find you to be our Deliverer.

(Jesus in the storm. Rembrandt)

3/15/11 I am the resurrection and the life John 11

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

(Lazarus Leon Bonnet 1857)

Thoughts: Martha believed.  But her belief was incomplete, limited by what she could think was possible.  In the midst of our crosses and death, it is hard to see the resurrection and hope.  Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  It is hard to see hope in a cross.  When 1.2 million acres of Yellowstone burned in 1988 it was hard to imagine life coming back even greener.  Yet the next year was the best year for wildflowers and new lodgepole pines ever, and animal and plant populations rebounded quickly.  There is also hope for restoration after the Japanese earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.  The hope is not found in that it has rebounded before, or in the manners of the people- but in God.  God can be a refuge and strength- a very present source of help in trouble- so we do not need to fear the earthquake (Psalm 46).  Jesus is our resurrection and our life- so we should put our trust in Him.  He asks us- in the face of death (as He asked Martha): "Do you believe this?" 

Prayer: May I believe you are the resurrection and the life, Lord.