How difficult it was to turn on the news and see the death and chaos! How depressing it was to turn on the radio in the car and hear about the devastation halfway around the globe! How scary it was to send my kids out into this mad, mad, mad world, full of wolves and jackals -- people who would just as soon harm, hurt or kill them as give them a drink of water! How incredibly hard it was to be positive in a world filled with hatred and pain and ugliness and murder! I remember crying out to my Father, begging for some kind of respite, some calm, some peace - shalom!
It is certainly true that there will always be wars and rumors of wars. And yes, there will always be devastating weather and natural disasters -- hurricanes and droughts, el nino floods and tsunamis, fires and landslides, to name a few. There will always be sin in THIS world (thankfully not the one to come!), but that doesn't mean I am able to handle it in my own strength and power. In fact, I fully admit that I CAN'T handle it. In fact, it overwhelms me and takes me for a scary ride sometimes. Often I have to avoid the news or I find myself sleeping less and thinking more. I know that it is one of my biggest weaknesses. Only my Father can cover me and protect me in that regard, but it is still within my power and duty to resist the things that cause me harm! YHWH is my strength and my protection. I'm too weak and scared and wimpy to do anything without Him
One morning in my Bible study and reading, I was drawn to the Psalms as I looked for some peace about all that was overwhelming me. I was tired, dreadfully tired. I knew I was led to Psalms the moment I began reading when the peace of YAH flooded over me. When I got there, Psalm 46 stuck out like a breath of fresh air. Psalms 46 was timely. It was the one that got me smiling, got me to wipe the tears off my face and had me STANDING UP, READING OUT LOUD! It was in the GOD of Psalm 46 that I found His shalom!
That morning I typed it out on my computer, printed up multiple copies and plastered them everywhere in my world -- in my kitchen, on my bathroom mirror, on my bedside lamp, on my phone case, on my desk, in my car, on my iPad, on the front of my Bible, and I memorized those verses. What a sweet, sweet blessing!!!
Psalm 46 (RSV)
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present[a] help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God will help her right early.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has wrought desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
he burns the chariots with fire!
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah