Whom Else?

“Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…
But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.”

“I cry aloud to God,
    aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord…
Then I said, ‘I will appeal to this,
    to the years of the right hand of the Most High.’

I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Your way, O God, is holy.
    What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
    you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people… 

When the waters saw you, O God,
    when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
    indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
    the skies gave forth thunder…
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
    your lightnings lighted up the world;
    the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea,
    your path through the great waters;
    yet your footprints were unseen.
You led your people like a flock.” Psalm 73:25-26,28; 77:1-2a,10-15a,16-17a,18-20a

Rain falls in the predawn gloom, reflecting the stunned and grieving soul. How can we process the shock of devastation, the tremendous, vacuous loss? How can a vibrant life be so quickly snuffed out, a loving friendship cease to exist? What memories and memorabilia can linger when so much has been swept away?

In the swelling sorrow of unexpected, spectacular loss, there is only one place to go, One Person in whom we find calm and comfort. We tuck in close, we cry and He hears, and we are carried. There is nothing like the refuge, the might, the greatness of our Lord. His are the arms of salvation, His the mighty hand, His the way of deliverance and life. (John 6:68)

What burden weighs us down? What foes of choking sorrow or fear loom near? Where do enemy tentacles probe and pester? Remember God’s deeds! Ponder His works! The Most High remains our refuge and strength and good portion forever.

“We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
strong in thy strength, safe in thy keeping tender,
we rest on thee, and in thy name we go.

Yea, in thy name, O Captain of salvation!
In thy dear name, all other names above:
Jesus our righteousness, our sure foundation,
our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
and needing more each day thy grace to know:
yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
‘We rest on thee, and in thy name we go.’

We rest on thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, thine shall be the praise;
when passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
victors, we rest with thee, through endless days.” ~Edith Chilling Cherry (1895)

Amen!