ever present hope // be still and know

The violin enters soft, quiet and comforting.

‘the Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’

The music builds. A storm is coming.

‘therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains fall in to the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.’

The orchestra is at full song. The storm is upon us.

‘the nations rage, the kingdoms totter, he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of Hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Come behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns chariots with fire.’

The orchestra falls out. Back to the violin. The comforting voice rings out and quiets the storm, the raging.

‘be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.’

Psalm 46. Comfort in the midst of any storm. Praying for the broken and hopeless who lost homes and family members in the storms last night, that the God of all creation, the creator of all things will be their refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. And praying he will use us, his people to respond the best way to bring hope.