September 30, 2010 - Psalm 46:1-3 - Change

"God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though
the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in
the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble
with its tumult.
Selah"

The one thing that is unchanging in this world is that everything changes. You can count on it, bet on it, be absolutely certain of it. Everything changes.

Sometimes we welcome the change; sometimes not. But even if the change is one we have wished for, hoped for, or worked hard for, change involves a certain uncertainty. The mighty "what if" rears its ugly head and we start second-guessing our plans, or God's plans for us.

But this passage reminds us to relax. Let it be. God's got it covered. It (whatever "it" is) is in God's hands, in His control. Though the earth itself should change - earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, we have Someone who is our refuge, our strength, our ever present help in times of trouble.

It seems, though, that sometimes that's the only time we seek His face, isn't it? When things are going well we sort of put God on the back burner, don't we? Oh, we may go to church, Evening Prayer, Bible study...and then we go about our business. We pop God in a box and say, "ok, just stay there until I need you, ok?" And then when calamity or change strikes, we grab Him out of the box and say, "Hey, where were you when I needed you?"

So even though this passage talks about turning to God in times of trouble, I submit that we also need to turn to God in times of joy and happiness and contentment. God is in the walk in the park. He's in the quarter found on the sidewalk. He's in the bubble bath, the massage, the chat with a friend. God is in the getting up on time in the morning so you don't have to rush to get to work, but can instead write a bit on one's blog. God is in the purring kitten, the pup cuddled under the covers with you at night, the kiss from a loved one. God is in the smile from a stranger, the stars, the very breath we take. God is.

If your life is in a state of change, as mine is right now, remember that God's got it covered. Do not fear, for though change may come and shake us to our very roots, God is there in the midst of it - our refuge, our strength, our help.

Verse 10 in this psalm reminds us: "Be still, and know that I am God!" Yes, Lord, yes.

Blessings, Phoenix