“For
who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is
like the Lord, a God feared in the council of the holy ones, great and awesome
above all that are around Him? O Lord God of hosts, who is as mighty as You, O
Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds You. You rule the raging sea, when its waves
rise, You still them” (Psalm 89:6-9).
The
seas of the Atlantic Ocean churn and rage at hurricane force off the coast of
our nation. Amid rising waves and punishing winds, the storm intensifies by the
hour. But as people prepare and some even flee, You are still the One who rules
the raging sea and speaks to the gathering winds.
At
the same time, there is a “ruler of the power of the air,” at work in our
fallen creation, decaying and suffering under the sins of the generations of
our fallen humanity (Ephesians 2:2). And that so-called “ruler of this world”
is bent upon our destruction, with as much suffering and devastation as
possible, to try to turn us away from You and one another to fend for ourselves
in trembling and fear every chance he gets and every place where he can try to
take advantage of our circumstances (John 14:30).
But
in the end, You are still sovereign; You are still Lord; You are still in
control. And You will cause even that to work together for good if we look to
You and call on Your name (Romans 8:28). You are still the Ruler of All, who
rules the raging sea, whether on our coast or in our hearts. So all the raging
and even the destruction — while it breaks Your heart to see the suffering and
consequences of our fallen world — only provide opportunities for us to reach
out to help each other in love and stand firm with You in faith through every
storm that comes. By the grace of God, we may not always avoid the suffering of
this broken, fallen world, but we will always overcome when we cry out to You
and call on Your name (Psalm 107:23-32). In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
