Life Jacket

In the wake of COVID-19, it is easy to ruminate on the "what ifs" and "could bes." Soon, I imagine myself carried away on a wave of fear, surfing massive billowing crests all alone, forgetting that I have a life jacket of faith that is securely fastened. The truth is I am not alone. My Sovereign Savior Jesus Christ controls the winds and the waves. These particular ones do not surprise or mystify Him. He calls me, like He called Peter, to focus my eyes on Him instead of the storm, and walk on this water.

Psalm 46 is a great comfort, and firm reminder of God's everlasting power over the circumstances of our lives. It refines my focus:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

I can choose to turn my attention to Almighty God in times of trouble, calling on His power, presence, and peace that passes understanding.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Whatever strange circumstances I find myself in, I can choose to walk in faith instead of fear.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

Ultimately, the struggles I face here are temporal. My eternal heavenly home is secure and God is there. God holds me in His hand until the day I meet Him face to face.

Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth.

God's omnipotence exceeds my understanding. He regularly does what is above and beyond my requests or imaginings. I do not have to understand what He is doing in order to trust that He is at work, because He works in mysterious ways. I have many examples of the counter-intuitive ways He has worked in my life, and in the lives of other believers.

He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.

The mechanisms and plans of human power mean nothing to God--while He often works through Him, they do not impact His sovereign plans.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

I can breathe deeply, turn calmly, and surf wisely as I rely on God's power and protection. He beckons me to turn to Him, hide my fears in His faithfulness, and rest in His sovereign presence. He is Lord of all.

In these difficult days, believers must secure the straps of our life jackets of faith through prayer and time in God's Word. Then we can help our friends and neighbors find and fasten theirs. Through Him, we can weather any storm.