Good Morning September 21

The brokenness of this fallen world weighs heavily on those who see it , earthquakes, storms, homicides, threats of war and terror, corruption, and pain. We do what we can to help financially, and physically, but the trials continue. We try to carve out our safe places in the midst, but we can never escape the larger view of all that happens in the world.  It has been so ever since we first rebelled from God and chose to go our own way. The Psalmist deals with this often as he pleads with the Lord. “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.  Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”(73:21-26) In the midst of all the trials of life we cling to the promises of our faithful Lord who works in us and through us to others. And in His great mercy will bring all things to their right conclusion.

Good Morning May 24

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, … Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places… many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people…”(Matthew 24:6,7,11-13) … destruction in Oklahoma, a bridge collapses in Washington state, people are shot at random… How does one live in such a world? It seems that every news medium brings another report of disaster, death, and destruction. The Prophet Isaiah said, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”(26:3-4) This does not mean that we are uncaring and selfish as long as we and our families are safe and well. We do all we can to help where we can, but we do not panic and wring our hands. The Lord said the latter days would be filled with difficult times, but our focus, our trust, and our prayers are always set on Him. We can have peace at heart, trusting in our Rock, even while we do all we can to aid those in need.

Good Morning March 15

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Solomon’s admonition is an important one. We live in frightening times. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami, and now the nuclear disaster are causing worldwide concern. Wars, gas and food prices, stock markets, and on and on. We have built a world that is very complex, and interconnected. We have become dependent upon many things over which we have no control. It seems like a row of dominos, or a house of cards. We can read the prophetic Scriptures, but we really don’t know what is ahead for any of us. Even so, we are told over and over, do not be anxious or afraid. Above all that man is able to do, our trust is in One who has promised never to leave or forsake us. We have a rock in the midst of life, and that Rock is Jesus.