11 September 2017
Something from Nothing
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
This is an appropriate verse for today considering it’s the memorial day of September 11th. When unexpected, dramatic, intense tragedy strikes, what can we do? Answer: Nothing. There are some problems that are just to huge. Trusting others to intervene, even our big, bold US government, certainly doesn’t help like it should. We seem to be in more danger today than the day of the initial tragedy after the government got involved. Honestly, that makes us feel even more helpless, doesn’t it? When people put their hope in something that fails to deliver, we actually feel worse than before.
But those who bypass all the strength of the world and put their hope in the One, True, Living God don’t live in a state of helplessness. We are not surprised by tragedy because Jesus told us to expect it.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)
And when we are overwhelmed by threats to our safety, underemployment, bad medical test results, relationships gone wrong, unsaved family members and even catastrophic weather, we only have one option: Trust God. It sounds so Christiany and even ridiculous to say that, but it’s true. He can provide and protect like no other because of how he is described – The Maker of Heaven and Earth.
When God made the heavens and the earth, he used no pre-existing materials. He is the only One who can make something from nothing. And he still does. He shields us from our enemies, puts food on our table even when there’s no money in the bank, sustains us in our illnesses, changes hearts and minds of people we thought would be lost forever, and replaces, restores, and rebuilds more than just material items after a horrible storm.
Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
(Psalm 28:6-7)
Dear God,
It is a relief to pray to you when I think about my family and friends in harm’s way of hurricane weather right now. I can’t do anything about from all the way over here; even if I send money, you can make sure it gets to someone who needs it. I get overwhelmed when I think of how our government handles its duties, overwhelmed when I think of my friends who are sick, mistreated, and unsaved. But you are not overwhelmed by any of these things, and that makes me glad. You use all our tragedies as opportunities for us to pray, trust you, and tell others that you still make something out of nothing. Thank you for being the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and I pray in your Son’s name according to your good will, amen.
Something from Nothing
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)
I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
This is an appropriate verse for today considering it’s the memorial day of September 11th. When unexpected, dramatic, intense tragedy strikes, what can we do? Answer: Nothing. There are some problems that are just to huge. Trusting others to intervene, even our big, bold US government, certainly doesn’t help like it should. We seem to be in more danger today than the day of the initial tragedy after the government got involved. Honestly, that makes us feel even more helpless, doesn’t it? When people put their hope in something that fails to deliver, we actually feel worse than before.
But those who bypass all the strength of the world and put their hope in the One, True, Living God don’t live in a state of helplessness. We are not surprised by tragedy because Jesus told us to expect it.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
(John 16:33)
And when we are overwhelmed by threats to our safety, underemployment, bad medical test results, relationships gone wrong, unsaved family members and even catastrophic weather, we only have one option: Trust God. It sounds so Christiany and even ridiculous to say that, but it’s true. He can provide and protect like no other because of how he is described – The Maker of Heaven and Earth.
When God made the heavens and the earth, he used no pre-existing materials. He is the only One who can make something from nothing. And he still does. He shields us from our enemies, puts food on our table even when there’s no money in the bank, sustains us in our illnesses, changes hearts and minds of people we thought would be lost forever, and replaces, restores, and rebuilds more than just material items after a horrible storm.
Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
(Psalm 28:6-7)
Dear God,
It is a relief to pray to you when I think about my family and friends in harm’s way of hurricane weather right now. I can’t do anything about from all the way over here; even if I send money, you can make sure it gets to someone who needs it. I get overwhelmed when I think of how our government handles its duties, overwhelmed when I think of my friends who are sick, mistreated, and unsaved. But you are not overwhelmed by any of these things, and that makes me glad. You use all our tragedies as opportunities for us to pray, trust you, and tell others that you still make something out of nothing. Thank you for being the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and I pray in your Son’s name according to your good will, amen.
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