The mountains tumble into the depths of the sea....

God is our strong refuge; He is truly our helper in times of trouble. For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea, when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah) Psalm 46:1-3 I used to read this verse growing up for comfort, but not really feeling a lot of comfort. I realized recently that I have a fear of being abandoned and apparently concentrated on the second part and ignoring the first line! I don’t think the abandonment is as much by people as by situations. Not that the people I love would abandon me, but circumstances would keep them from me. Not that God would abandon me, but that maybe I haven’t trusted His full power and authority. That He would let me fall. I recognized the problem last night that I’m actually afraid of the earth moving under my feet (not from Dave’s kisses!) and falling to nowhere secure. I asked God to give me peace and to somehow confirm to me that I can trust Him and not fear. This morning in church we sang a song about God doing the moving of the mountains. God doing the mighty acts of nature to bring Himself glory—the glory that He deserves of course! All of a sudden I saw the answer to my fear so very clearly. If God’s making it happen, He will one way or another take care of me and my loved ones and it will indeed be to His glory. I found the peace I sought and joy on top of that! (God always gives extra, you know.) It’s incredible to me that God gave me my assurance the next day. Unfortunately I prayed more of a wish than really believing God would give it so soon. I have a habit of assuming it will take a while and I’ll stumble on my own onto the answer or something I can grasp and hope that’s my answer. But God very gently gave it to me with the first song and so clearly. The second song echoed the same message. God is sovereign, God cares for me, God will be faithful and take care of me. He also sweetly showed me I can count on Him for answers. They may not always come right away, but they can and certainly did in this case. Regardless of when the answers come, the answers are as faithful as their Master and do come when needed most. Wonder how many I’ve overlooked by assuming they would be vague answers? Or worse yet, not really expecting them at all? I also learned that when I learn the ugliness of my heart, I see the beauty of God’s heart. I always thought it was the other way around, which is also true. As we meditate on God’s goodness, we realize our lack of it. But today God showed me where I had been wrong and His truth in that order. It was a great comfort to accept my lack of faith that way. To see yourself doubting God in a way you didn’t think you were is very piercing to the soul. How can I doubt my God? I thought I was past all that. But God’s comfort came right away and it was by showing me the area I hadn’t been believing Him by showing me how far His sovereignty really reaches.

I can rest and rest in joy. May you know the beauty and security of God’s sovereignty and love too!