God With Us!

Psalm 46: 4-7

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 the city; it shall not be moved;
     God will help it when the morning dawns. 
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
     he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
     the God of Jacob is our refuge.

This verse in various forms has been creeping into my thoughts and my cries.  My world is shaken.  My job uncertain, my life full of responsibilities and messes that exceed my time and abilities.
I am stretched thin and weary.  The snow continues to fall and it  is truly beautiful.
But… it stands as a metaphor for my life-

It is heavy. I am constantly digging out.
And. it. keeps. falling.

Today I picked up a book given to me a long time ago.  Where All Hope Lies by James R. VanTholen. I headed to the Liturgical Season in this book of Sermons and found something from God for my season of life.  Something for any of us who are living in a broken world and looking for God to speak into it all.

Psalm 46.  I will not fear.  Everything right now seems vulnerable. My daughter about to enter high school is vulnerable.  My house filled with broken things and my roof with ice dam is vulnerable. My administrator healing from a serious accident in both legs, trying to grab normalcy and return to life is vulnerable.  My co-workers and I facing job uncertainties are vulnerable.  My financial future, with three children in Christian schools is vulnerable.  My good friend suffering from grief with the loss of a father and other close family tragedies is vulnerable.

And then, in the middle of it all.

"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 the city; it shall not be moved."  

In my world, everything is out of control.  My life is total chaos.  BUT. The city of God is not moved.

So… I WILL NOT FEAR!

I have strength that doesn't come from power, money, influence, popularity or my job. I have the opportunity to remember that in my weakness, God can be glorified. Despite what I want to see happen in any of my circumstances, I have the opportunity to honor God in this time, this place, this circumstance.  And I will not be broken.  God is near.

"No matter how hard the earth shakes, the city of God stands eternal."   James R. VanTholen