2 Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

“So, what is your perspective on punctuality?” – my question from an job interviewer.

My response- “I have always felt that there is never a problem with being very early, that if you plan on being early, there will be no problem if you’re a little late for your plan.”

“This is how we look at punctuality: Early = On Time, On Time = Late, Late = Fired.”

Anyone who plans on keeping their job, gaining an education, maintaining healthy relationships and fulfilling a purpose will usually have a grasp on the importance of being on time and not making someone wait. As soon as that appointment time passes without your presence, there is a statement being made about your character, the importance you place on the meeting and the value of that one with whom you scheduled that meeting. Great expectation and judgment is built into our culture regarding timing, with very little hope of success where there is disregard for this.

Where it gets a little challenging, though, is when clocks get off, time zones are different, and the basis upon which the schedule is planned differs between those attending. For the one who understood the timing to be based upon their own system, the relationship and ability to make further plans can be severely threatened when the other person is using a completely different base. They may be totally correct in the ETA, but if they are not perceived to be punctual because of this misunderstanding, judgments are made and confidence in that person is compromised.

A couple of references

I spent a few months in Africa, just a little ways of the equator where the sun is very consistent in its rising and its falling. There is no need for daylight savings time there because the sun always rises at 6:00 in the morning and sets at 6:00 in the evening with very little variance between summer and winter. Because of this, their reference to the hours of the day, instead of starting with the middle of the day, started in the morning with “hour one”. To make an appointment with someone there for lunch would require an understanding of this in order to not show up either 6 hours ahead of time or 6 hours late.

There is another discrepancy in base understanding that I encountered in math, where the standard 10 base system that is commonly used can be altered by changing the base number upon which counting is established. Instead of starting over at one after counting to ten, for example, you can start over with any other less than ten, like 4 for example. In this system our normal number 8 would equal 20 because the base is completely different- totally correct, just based on a different standard.

When hearing of the promises that are ours and particularly the promise referred to here in the passage of the coming day of the Lord, there is an opportunity to be challenged in our relationship with the One who made the promise, if we get out our calendars and decide, based upon our own learned systems, just when and how He should fulfill His promise. As soon as there is doubt regarding His punctuality, the whole perception of His character, faithfulness and righteousness is brought into question and it is challenging to believe in Him at all. There is an opportunity, however, whenever our penciled-in time for Him to show happens to pass, for trust in Him and an embrace of His holiness and loving nature to displace our self-declared position of judgment over the Creator of time. Rather than letting our Daytimer determine our confidence in the Maker of the day and our ability to progress in our relationship with Him, faith in His goodness and His mercy can be strengthened when all frustration is put aside for some sweet casting of care in His loving embrace. His timing has a different base. It will never be wrong and His character will never be compromised because of a man-made calendar. Opportunity for relationship with the most influential and powerful being need not be damaged or frustrated by His differing time base. It’s so much better to just get on His in the light of eternity.

Psalm 4:6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.

This would seem to be the deciding question for most- “Who will bring us prosperity?”

The nation that was established in the light of the Creator’s face, with full dependence and reliance upon His provision, has experienced the inevitable of any who is found there- prosperity. And, this prosperity has survived many departures from that light, where the source has appeared to come from elsewhere and a path has been made to that alternative.

The dependence upon God was so great by those who were a part of it’s building that this foundation would endure dangerous challenges to its basic truths. Declaring independence from the start was a bold claim upon a dependence that could not be displaced by any king or other governing entity. It wasn’t a fickle proclamation of desire to be free of any dependence, but rather a sincere recognition that dependence on any other than God was a commitment to be its slave.

The illusion that prosperity would come from enslaving others was also a direct challenge to God-reliance, and this notion, even embraced by those who professed faith, was only brought down by an insistence upon basic truths and principles that could only come from God.

Industrial and technological revelations have introduced significant diversions of dependence and misperception of prosperity’s source. Incredible amounts of wealth have come from God-inspired inventions and devices that have made life easy and entertaining, and have also made it seem that they themselves are the real source of prosperity. Because of the accumulation of wealth by those who successfully produce, they themselves are seen as the source of prosperity from which there may not only be an expectance, but a demand.

While this wealth has really been the result of God’s provision and faithfulness, reliance has been diverted from Him to the place where His supply has been collected and corrupted. Rather than looking to God as the One who will bring the prosperity, the light of His face has been replaced by the shadows of those who promise the most for nothing. From the One who promises to supply not just stuff, but the ability to be fulfilled in producing, caring for and maintaining His provision, faces have been turned towards those who claim to be able to come up with all that in His stead and at the expense of those who have pursued the path of diligence and excellence.

Wherever there is an insistence on taking rather than giving, there is removal of God dependence and the embrace of every other emotional response that cannot and will not reflect an awareness of His presence and the light of His face. However, in the realm of trust, where assurance of His faithfulness extends beyond this life to the eternal one beyond, there is no need to demand anything of a governing entity, a neighbor, or fellow citizen. The compelling desire is more about being a part of God’s provision, to be His hand and His supply, than being a hand that will take it from another and pretend and claim to be the source. To turn off the light of God’s face is turn off the ability to see or hear the right answer to that question of prosperity’s source.   As soon as He is no longer honored or welcomed, there is no ability whatsoever to perceive and pursue the only true source of provision.

Whether or not this nation endures this greatest challenge to its foundation will have everything to do with its answer to the question. Where we look and with whom we find our pleasure will directly determine our ability to stave off the greatest challenges to our existence. It might seem that our wars and foreign enemies have been ominous threats to our continuance, but the greatest threat then and now is the threat to our question’s answer. Will we continue to look to the light for our prosperity or somehow find assurance in voices and promises that have never been proven and could very well be gone in no time?

Any light that God may shine will reflect on all collectively as it has through our history, but the light will only be magnified and made to be significant as it is experienced in each and every life that has found dependence on Him and lets that dependence grow on a daily basis.  With each heart that looks to Him, that boldly draws closer to His throne of grace with a prayer of faith, there is promise of further provision from His abundant heavenly supply.

Philippians 4:19 KJV
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 22:14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;
a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it.

So many falling into that pit in various ways. But, there is a way to avoid it altogether, and though not that obvious or apparently connected, that way has to do with much less grievous (at least to our calculation) things/choices. Many of the offenses that would bring us into a position less than favorable with our Father, such as those listed in Romans 5 will be things that we might just brush off as insignificant and not really all that big of a deal. After all, just a whisper- I mean, really? Isn’t that what grace is for, so we don’t have to be conscious of sin anymore, and just live without being overwhelmed with possible consequences? Though ridden with much less direct consequences, each of those little attitudes and actions that reflect anything other than the love of God are a step off the path of righteousness where the favor of God is enabled and onto a place His wrath is actually activated. How does someone who would appear to be right in so many ways “all of a sudden” fall into a pit of such devastation? It’s not that each one of those other little transgressions is of great variance itself, but pursuing it without a frequent return to the way of righteousness and purity will eventually lead to the edge of this precipice where a fall is inevitable as its visibility is diminished by increased darkness.

It is more than possible to remain in the realm of favor with our loving and caring Father, where the heart condemns itself no more and great confidence is engendered towards the One who is our eternal life. With a passion for righteousness, where hunger for it disables any willingness to step off its path for a taste of sin’s pastries not matter how small the morsel, there is surety of purity and avoidance of any ill-positioned pit.

Jude 1:24 KJV

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

For those really critical things, where it needs to work and there is no room for error, you really need more than just someone who talks like he knows. The one you need is the one who designed and made it, and you don’t need just a chat line and a promise of access through some login.

Just gave a call yesterday to a service provider of something we need for a new facility we are getting ready to occupy. There were several things promised and offered on their web site, but I wanted someone to actually talk with so I could ask more specific questions. I was blessed to connect with a very friendly and knowledgeable individual who was very adept at defining the details of the service. I noticed something about the presentation of his information, though, from the start- that his intent was beyond just answering my questions and providing needed details. He was intent on securing my business and even getting me to agree to service that was beyond my original intent. To do this I noticed he referred to certain things as his, what he was going to do for me, and how he was going to take care of certain charges for me. I realized that there was nothing he was promising that was actually his personally. He didn’t really own any of it to give, and while he represented something of great usefulness and value, the real functionality would be coming to me from another source than him. As great as it was that he felt an ownership and was able to utilize this confidence to sell effectively, there will have to be an actual performance by something and someone other than him in order for my needs to be met.

In the pursuit of the eternal service that is necessary for our fulfillment both here on this earth and beyond, it will be necessary to acquire answers, to interact with those who have been there and have information that will help in this great quest. While there may be some great, wonderful, friendly and gifted presenters of this information, the source of the actual service will always be the Creator and Designer of life itself, the real provider of the critical requirements of life and salvation. The introduction may be done effectively and even from someone who has rightly become one with Christ, but that person himself will never be able to do anything more than just provide the connection. The real service provider, the One who will be doing it all is God alone and interaction with any other will never replace the conversation that will have to take place with Him and the relationship that will have to be developed with Him. In pursuit of the abundance that is our promise in Christ we will need an uninterrupted connection with the Source of life in Christ Himself that is uncorrupted by sin and cares of life. Though there may be claims from viable human sources that this and that will be covered and taken care of, when the service is critical, when the temptation comes and the pressure is on, there will only be One who will be able to keep from falling. He may use His call service for support, but He will be the doer, the sanctifier and the One who perfects and keeps functional those He have answered His call. He may touch through those who have been gifted to speak and operate in His will, but there will be only one true service provider that will never fail to provide. He is Christ alone and there no other will be able to perform what He alone can provide. Best get to know Him personally, get Him on the line with an uninterrupted line of communication. He will do it. He is the Faithful One.

James 1:17 KJV
(17)  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

3 John 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God [has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all].

1 Kings 9: 4 “As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws,5 I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’

I recently received a link in an email to a youtube video of this guy who does these incredible imitations of famous people, and particularly the presidents. Although each of our recent presidents are extremely different from each other, this guy is able to transform, not just his voice, but his appearance, mannerisms, and facial expressions to the point you could really think you were watching the actual person. Of course there is a humorous side to his presentations as he makes each of the characters look foolish for the sake of laughter.

What is really amazing, though, is to see the real person, the imitator as himself, just talking without putting on any other personality. As talented as he is at becoming another character, and while he sheds himself to become that person for the duration of his imitation, he thankfully returns to his ‘real’ self at the end of the performance. You might think he would carry traces of these other persons into his own presentation, but he is able to separate the act from the real.

While it’s entertaining to observe imitating talents like this, there is, in fact, an imitation going on in everyone- a way of life, an action, an expression that has been observed and emulated. It’s amazing how you can especially tell this in children. You can often tell who they’ve been playing with just by the way they act. As wonderful as those precious creatures have been made to be by their Creator, they will choose throughout their lifetime actions and behaviors that will cause them to act another way. It may not last forever, but for the period in which those actions are emulated, they are completely responsible for the consequences of those actions. They might be imitating someone else, but they own the actions as their own. This can go both ways, as the good friends produce “yes sirs”, while the negative examples produce “whatevers”.

I recently spoke with someone who has gone through an extended period of imitating harmful and negative actions. For so long there had been a consistent embrace of a lifestyle that was chosen to emulate ‘cool’ friends, their expressions, their actions, and their indulgences. With the passing of time, though, and much prayer, there has been a realization that it was all just an imitation, an act. It has become clear that all those things that were thought to represent this unique personality were just an act or imitation. “That wasn’t me!” But, it’s too late in many ways, because, though they were just reflections of other persons, the acts themselves have had very serious consequences for life.

Praise God there is an opportunity for the power of emulation to be effective for good no matter how we’ve been negatively influenced by it in the past. In Christ we are given a new personality to take on and imitate, and with every choice of the good He portrays, with every action that looks like Him, we get to partake of the consequences of those good actions and the blessings they bring to life. We don’t just have to remain this person that we think is all unique, but is just imitating whomever else we happen to admire. The more Jesus is admired, desired, known and chosen as the personality of choice, the more the blessings of His actions will be known in fulfilled purpose and abundance of life. – so much better than anything those other behaviors may bring.

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. 19 Therefore go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world. Amen.

There was something somewhat different about the little town we moved to when I was seven. Just a few thousand people and but 12 miles from Kansas, this was not a place where you might slip in and get lost in the crowd. Who you were and what you were up to was something that would probably be noticed and discussed. Your word and your name really meant something. While there was some lost privacy, there was also a great deal of privilege for the ones who established themselves as honorable. I remember being able to go into just about any store in town, pick something out, and ask to have the charges put on my Dad’s account. The owner knew our family and the reputation of my father to faithfully take care of and pay His debts.  Because of who he was, i was able to operate in the same power he had earned. When they saw me coming, to them it might as well have been my Dad. All of his children were given the same authority as he did when it came to making some of these purchases, as long as we didn’t abuse it.

I’ve always found it interesting that Jesus declared that He had been given the power, but then told them to go. It was as if their going was the same as Him going. We’ve amazingly been given the ability to go into any place in the world and operate in the same power and authority that He acquired through His faithfulness. It’s really become a very small world- wherever we go, it’s like we are known because of who He is and what He’s done. Though He may not be seen with the natural eye, wherever we set our foot, He is right there with more than enough resources to cover anything- healing, provision, deliverance, direction, restoration… – we might place on the counter and ask to be put on His account. Now it’s just a matter of going to town and operating in this privilege He’s established for us. So much is waiting to be possessed by those who will go in the power He’s acquired for us. It’s all because we’re related and He’s given us His family name. It’s not just us, but Him that is seen walking into the store. Just gotta go…..

Psalms 48:1 KJV  A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

But I love the quiet of the country, where there is very little evidence that people have been around. This is where I might get inspired about God’s greatness in praise. Just seeing His creation, unblemished by the erosion of man is a sight to generate a song of adoration and praise.

So what is it about the city of Zion on the mountain of holiness? To be honest, the pictures of the big cities of the world are impressive, but most of them are not really much more than a picture- just some big sky scrapers rising high above the sprawling surrounding communities and neighborhoods. What is it about a city, then, that would cause enemies to become painfully afraid at the sight of it, as indicated in verse 6, and why would it be a praise motivation?

There must be something represented in those structures that is more than just impressive architecture.  The towers that rose above New York City represented the economical, organizational, and influential power and dominance of a nation that had been founded on Godly principles to accomplish and fulfill a significant purpose. Just the sight of those towers caused enemies to hate and fear us. This was where we as a people were seen as a force to be reckoned with. Though our landscapes may have been expansive and beautiful with plains of waving grain and majestic mountains of splendor, it was in the city that great things were being implemented and accomplished. Each one of those big buildings represented thousands of people who were coming together in an energy of superior excellence to represent what can happen in a people that bring their individual God-given abilities to accomplish an incredible united purpose. The freedom and unity upon which our nation was founded is magnified and best displayed where the concentration of what we do and what we produce has visual evidence.

For an impression to be made beyond visual appreciation, though, an understanding of what is actually going on in the city is most helpful. Each discovery of a building’s purpose, history, and accomplishments transforms the simple initial visual perspective into an emotionally impacting experience resulting in a response of either fear or praise. Based upon personal relationship and identification with the city’s purpose, motivation will rise to either become a productive citizen and fan or a competitive foe. On one hand, taking ownership of the city’s identity by contributing to its purpose with energy, creativity and verbal praise raises its level of appreciation to a one that will result in unrestrained positive expression. On the other hand, the greater the understanding of the city’s operation, the greater will be the trepidation in the heart of the one who is committed to an opposing perspective.

God’s greatness has such potential for motivation in praise. What He has planned, what He has done, and what He is continually doing is represented in the center of His productivity, the city of His fulfilled purpose. This is where His ability and His power connect with His creation to form a display of His glory that is awe inspiring to those who identify with it and fear inspiring to those who oppose it. God is the greatest planner, organizer, businessman, and benefactor, and His abilities are best displayed where what He does and what He produces has visual evidence. In the place of His implemented will there is a holiness and righteousness that has no comparison and there is certainty in His every structure of outcome, triumph and success.

As a child I remember the special moments when we would reach the top of that last hill above which could be seen the lights of Denver. Even as young as I was, there was a feeling of productive energy that I sensed coming from all the shining and the large buildings. As I grew to become a Broncos fan, a lifelong identity became mine with the place that oozes orange. Later, as I attended the University of Denver, a further appreciation was ingrained, and while the extent of Denver’s productivity is far from known or understood, just my limited connection and participation with the city has caused it to stand out above all the other cities I’ve encountered, some of which are much larger and of greater overall influence. Somehow I have an identity with the city that still causes my heart to stir at the mention of it and at the sight of its lights and rising structures- what a great place.

There is significant power to be gained and realization of the Father’s presence to be experienced as the result of true and heart-felt praise. It’s not enough, though, to just observe the pictures of His greatness and proclaim that He is great, and greatly to be praised. For this to truly come out in honesty and understanding, there will need to be an identity with His city, the center of His productivity and His doing. Becoming a fan of His team, gaining an education there, and participating in His projects will cause incredible inspiration to rise at the thought of our Leader’s greatness. Then, upon the mention of His greatness, a praise will spontaneously rise, and at the sight of His lights and structures of kingdom productivity an identifying understanding will result in uncontainable expressions of honor and glory. His greatness- discovered, owned, expressed in the city of His incredible productivity and holiness.

2 Corinthians 11: 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. (NIV)

Just beyond the checkout as we were leaving the store, there was a display of guitars, drums, keyboards, amplifiers, microphones, along with strings and other related items. There were neat little packages like a guitar and amplifier set or a keyboard with demos and lessons. By appearances these musical instruments were just as legitimate as any and would be more than sufficient for learning to play and enjoy performing music. What also made them particularly appealing were their packaging and price. They had snappy marketing with pictures on boxes that showed some famous artist playing what looked like this instrument, while the price was highlighted as being an incredible deal for such a wonderful value. For the person who had tinkered with the idea of taking up an instrument, this would appear to be just the deal, and there are probably a large number of them sold to casually aspiring musicians. It is easy enough to pacify the urge with not too much risk.

These successfully marketed instruments would appear to have all the same requirements of an instrument- strings, keys, drum heads, etc., and they might even look the same or even better, but for someone who will end up producing real music that is expressive and gratifying to someone beside the one plucking or pounding away, there will eventually be a discovery of an instrument that may have all those same ingredients, but is put together in a way that is quite different. The materials used are of a much greater quality and the methods employed to construct them demonstrate artistry and craftsmanship that greatly enhance and project the expressive efforts of the player. It might be possible to learn the motions and the theories of music on the cheap imitations, but to really experience the joy of greater musical expression there will need to be an introduction to a ‘real’ instrument. They might not be presented with nearly the same sparkle, but, oh my, the sounds they will produce.

The gospel of Jesus is a truth that is made up of the best materials and a craftsmanship that is unequalled. It is a simple message of hope, healing, provision, and salvation that is really capable of transforming the experience of life all by itself. While there is more than enough power in its simplicity, there are versions presented in snappy marketing packages in an effort to make it acceptable to the masses, the tinkerers and the casual passers-by. It may appear that there are all the same ingredients with a greatly reduced risk and price, and while it might be possible to start making some noise with these deals, if the gospel is to ever be truly expressed in a life, there will need to be an introduction to the ‘real’ instrument that will come with a much higher cost and commitment of time. The programs may be impressive and the personalities engaging, but until there is an old life given up for the new, until all of life is an expression of worship to the Master, then a sound might be made, but it never is really music. Once the true rhythms and melodies are produced in a transformed life, though, it will no longer be easy enough to put up with what the packaging promises.

My father tells of the person watching a true master producing music on their instrument:

“I would give anything to play like that,” is proclaimed.

To which there is the reply, “They did.”

Proverbs 27:23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; 24 for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. 25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, 26 the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. 27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants.

The harvest is a time of great busyness, excitement and glory. This is the period when investments of time, resources and energy are yielding returns and obvious value is being acquired. Clearly the harvest takes priority over other possible activities and Proverbs 10:5 supports this. Sleep is to take the back seat in relation to the work of the harvest. This time of high activity and productivity does not last forever, though, and if other specific things are left undone and uncared for, another time is coming when they will be needed for living, but they will be broken, ailing, or even passed away.

In the case of the farmer, as this passage from Proverbs indicates, the livestock must have care and provision no matter how much time is required elsewhere. The food, clothing, and income they will provide long after the harvest is over must be considered on a daily basis. Not only do they require food and water, but their health must also be continually monitored so any disease or illness can be doctored before it becomes dangerous. Some time throughout the day, whether it’s in the morning, noon, or night, there has to be time given to the care of the livestock. Their survival will prove essential to life and any future hope of existence.

For those who haven’t experienced the harvest of an actual crop, there is yet truth to be drawn from this understanding. The city folk, businessmen, and those occupied with families and occupations also have this time of busyness that can overwhelm to the point of letting go of certain essential chores. The livestock for them might be the care of those gifts and abilities placed in them by their Creator that are just in need of a little care, a little nourishment, and a little doctoring. Once the dust has settled and schedules open up, there will be a need for those areas of the heart to have survived so they can bring value and a life resource of productivity and fulfillment. If there is only value placed on those things that are temporarily demanding, there will be no joy in living when the noise dies down.

For those who have taken the name of Christ there is another consideration regarding the care of the livestock. Another set of demands is added to the already existent requirements of family and job. Now there is a call to also be productive in kingdom work with a passion for the harvest and bringing souls to the Light. The flurry of life, both secular and church related, can become overwhelming to the point of failing to care for the livestock of prayer and meditation on the Word. There will be a time when existence will require the provision and sustenance that can only come from the faithful care that has been given to these times of soul doctoring in the presence of the Father. The malnourished or sickened spirit will have little ability to draw on the provision of grace in the time of need if the path to the throne of grace hasn’t been continually taken. Through times of planting, watering and harvest the livestock will be in constant need of care and nourishment. At some point(s) in the day there must be a getting away to maintain the source of life that can remain strong and healthy through the good times and the bad.

Psalm 63: 1 A Psalm of David When He Was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. 3 Because Your  lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. 6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. 7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. 8 My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.  (NIV)

Psalms 46:1-5 KJV  To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  (2)  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;  (3)  Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.  (4)  There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.  (5)  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

This nation was possibly the best prepared for catastrophe. Buildings were constructed to withstand the violent tremors of an earthquake and public address systems were in place to insure everyone would know to take evasive and protective action. Rescue and recovery teams were well trained and provided for and they were always in a position of readiness.

For most events that might come along, these preparations might have been sufficient, but as the trembling surpassed any prior shaking and when the ensuing flood waters became higher than what could have been imagined or anticipated, all help and all means of refuge were totally overwhelmed. Structures that withstood the quaking were quickly swept away by the deluge as if they were but small toys. Whole villages were completely uprooted and displaced. For those who had once felt the ‘security’ of well-placed and provided for help, there was no escaping this unstoppable force, this sweeping and certain destruction. Help, once present, could no longer be found as thousands upon thousands became helpless and hopeless.

It would seem that before the raging sea and the crumbling earth’s crust there could be no place of escape and no possible refuge, but there is a help that is ever present and without compromise.

Psalms 139:7-12 KJV  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  (8)  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  (9)  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  (10)  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  (11)  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  (12)  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

To be in Christ and to live in the promise of His presence is to live preserved from the ultimate power of the storm in a realm of joy’s fullness and incomprehensible peace. That He is our refuge and our shield is not a qualified statement that is dependent upon the size of the storm or the earthquake’s rating. Even if it would seem no help could possibly be effective, our God is the ‘very present help’ in trouble of the greatest magnitude. He is the One who formed it all in the first place and put forces into motion. There will not be a single one who could be lost from His knowing and His provision of help and recovery.

To the coming storm, and even to the storm that has already overwhelmed, there is an answer and a response from the heart that has established its secret place in God. There is no doubt that He will save, He’ll deliver, He will set free. Uncompromised help is eternally in Him.