"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, Your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-3
California is under fire...literally. As I write my eyes are stinging from the smoke that has drifted into the canyon. The Camp fire that destroyed the town of Paradise is probably the biggest contributor of smoke, but there are several fires throughout the state. We are quite a distance from them, but the smoke drift is impacting a large portion of the state. The air quality for much of the area near us is in the Hazardous category. https://www.newsweek.com/california-fires-air-quality-map-pollution-update-shows-affected-areas-smoke-1218763 At the place where I work two days a week, the staff and clients were all wearing masks today. Seeing their post on Facebook made me glad I didn't have to work in the valley today, but also created concern for everyone who isn't able to escape to a higher altitude and a bit better air. My children and grandchildren are among them. Although I am 22 miles away from the valley floor, I can feel the effects of being in the smoke from earlier in the week. I am glad it is less smoky here and pray that God will grant us a bit of rain to remove some of the smoke and help put out the fires. Even in that prayer though, I know it brings its own set of concerns, because the smoke is toxic and will pollute the ground and rivers when it rains, and too much will create mudslides in the fire ravaged areas.
It is in times such as this that I must not allow fear to dictate my thinking. So many fires in a bone dry state is enough to cause concern, but now with the smoky skies making it hard to breathe, and little to no hope of it ending soon, despair could easily become my companion. It has been absolutely heart wrenching to see all the devastation from all the fires. So many have lost so much.
As I converse with people on social media, I see a very clear difference in those who trust God and those who don't. There are some who have lost everything, who still find their voice of praise in God's faithfulness to them. Others vent their disappointment and anger. It is obvious from their statements that they haven't been able to grasp the concept that God is bigger than all of this, and has a purpose and plan, even when we don't understand it. I can't imagine what it would be like to experience great loss without the knowledge of who God is and how much He cares.
But knowing His word helps me settle my restless spirit. "God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling." Psalm 46:1-3
An interesting thing about this particular Scripture. The first time I really paid attention to it was when my then 6 year old son shared it with me after he learned it in Sunday school. This is the same little boy that 3 years earlier doctors had told us was dying of kidney disease and probably wouldn't live past his eighth birthday, even if he were to receive a transplant. God had healed him completely though, without a transplant, long term medication or dialysis. Thirty three years later he is strong and healthy and continuing to share what he has learned from God's word with others, as the youth pastor of our church.
Now there are many questions I will ask God when I get to heaven, one of them being why he spared my son, but my brother's son died of leukemia when he was only 8 years old. We had prayed diligently for Bobby's health as much as we had prayed for DT's.
But then, I don't presume to understand the infinite mind of God.
His word tells me that He has a purpose and plan for my life, one not of destruction but to give me a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11) It also tells me that I don't need to fear. (Isaiah 41:10) He will never leave or abandon me. (Deuteronomy 31:5, Joshua 1:5, John 14:18)
When fear begins to raise it's ugly head and threaten my peace, God offers me a way of escape. He holds His arms open wide and invites me to rest in His Presence and sufficiency. (2 Corinthians 2:9) His perfect love casts out fear. (1 John4:18) Even when the skies are smoky, even when it's hard to see or breathe, even when He doesn't answer the prayers they way I think He should.
Leaning in close I hear the sound of His heart.
Peace be still. All is well.
You can trust Me.
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"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in Him I will trust."" Psalm 91:1&2
