God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea...
~ Psalm 46:1-2 (NIV)
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I watched a fascinating documentary yesterday on the Dust Bowl of the '30s. Wow...unbelievable the devastation that was wrought on the mid-section of America. I was so unaware of this part of our nation's history! Completely unprecedented in so many ways. So many died of what was called 'dust pneumonia'. Some died in their tracks from 'black blizzards', huge dust storms that rose out of nowhere. Everything suffered from the constant dust in the air. And when next-to-no rain fell for years, it seemed to feed the devastatingly vicious cycle of drought and dust, drought and dust. So much top-soil was lifted from the earth during this period of much of the Plains, that some parts would never again support agriculture. What a dreadful time to live in...
One of the researchers of this period said that the church was an obvious place for people to go during this dust crisis. They went to God and prayed for rain! Yet, one dust-bowl survivor said, "I guess God is perfect, but He just didn't put the rain in the places and times where we needed it...", as if to say that somehow, God just didn't get it right. I can see how faith would be shaken at a time like that.
When hard times hit, are we shaken in our faith, or do we cling to our Creator? Does God lose rank in our eyes when times get tough, or do we believe in His sovereignty regardless of externals?
Testing of our faith is exactly that, a test. And some are tested mightily through many difficult circumstances. I pray that you can authentically claim God as your refuge as you face hard times. When the dust storms of life are upon you and threaten to strip your life of faith and hope, cover your face and get on your knees before God and cling to Him for your survival. Don't be swept away like the top soil in the Dust Bowl. Be like a tree whose roots go down deep...
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
~ Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NIV)
Love,
Joelene
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