Meditate. Feel the safety that the Lord provides. Be still and know....
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Psalm 46:1-11
I cannot imagine not having fear if a really big earthquake happens. When we lived in Okinawa we had a couple of small earthquakes—just rolling tremors really. It was sort of awesome seeing the ground roll and feeling it as it “rolled” through our house. Then at night, with a little tremor, the closet doors rattled and the house shook—but it wasn’t like the house was falling apart or things were falling out of the cupboards. I’ve seen the results of earthquakes lately on YouTube and it looks scary as the buildings toppled to the ground into a heap of rubbish. I can image that the people experiencing those earthquakes were feeling real fear as they were running to escape. But there was nowhere really to escape. I don’t know if they know God. He is our refuge and strength—so we don’t have to fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. That is a huge and powerful promise. I’ll remind myself and my family that if we ever have a real earthquake here. Jesus said that there will be earthquakes, as well as wars and rumors of wars, at the beginning of the end. But it is not the end, yet.
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| A sign in northern Israel telling us... wars are not just rumors. |
Prayer ~ Lord God…just as one of Job’s friends counseled him: From six disasters God will rescue you; even in the seventh, God will keep you from evil. God will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war. You, Job, will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes. From Job 5:19-21. I know You, Lord, love me and I feel protected by You…even when destruction or earthquakes occur.
Verse of Salvation ~ But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear (respect) him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! Psalm 103:17-18
Verse of
Thanksgiving ~ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love
endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
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