THE VERSE
When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars.
~Psalm 75:3
THE THOUGHT
Japan. Chile. Indonesia. Haiti. The last few years have seen untold devestation grip different corners of the globe as the earth totters with all its inhabitants. Violent earthquakes have shaken lives and nations and left heartache and misery in their wake. In a moment, everything that was firm becomes unstable. The very ground we walk on becomes a deceptive foundation.
Earthquakes, perhaps more than any other disaster, show us the futility of all earthly schemes of comfort and security. In a world where even the very ground will not support us, where do we turn for a firm foundation? How can we even speak of security when, at any moment, the earth itself can become like shifting sand?
The earth will totter, along with all its inhabitants. Today and tomorrow, there will be wars and rumors of wars. What was sure and trustworthy one moment can and will be gone the next. But in the midst of devastation, of uncertainty, of disaster, of turmoil, we look beyond the uncertainty of this world to the certainty of the God who holds us. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is He who is keeping steady its pillars. He holds the world and holds us, and though we may be shaken, we will not fall. God reigns above the flood. He holds all authority and power, and even earthquakes do not shake His immovable promises to those who believe. When all around is shaken, we hold fast to this hope: we are receiving a kingdom and a king that cannot be shaken.
THE PRAYER
Father, I long for the kingdom that cannot be shaken. With every new report of earthquakes, unrest, and crisis, that promise becomes more precious. Help me, in the midst of uncertainty, to look to You as my Rock, my Foundation. You will never be moved, and I praise You for that. Teach me, Lord, to trust You more.
EXTENDED READING
Psalm 18:1-3
Psalm 15:7-9
Matthew 7:24-27
Hebrews 12:26-29
This post is written by Brendan Beale, author of Cross Connections