What Shakes, What Stands

“‘For your Maker is your husband,
    the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
    the God of the whole earth he is called…
With everlasting love I will have compassion on you,’
    says the Lord, your Redeemer…

“For the mountains may depart
    and the hills be removed,
but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
    and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

“O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,
    behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
    and lay your foundations with sapphires.
I will make your pinnacles of agate,
    your gates of carbuncles,
    and all your wall of precious stones.
All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
    and great shall be the peace of your children.
In righteousness you shall be established;
    you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
    and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
If anyone stirs up strife,
    it is not from me;
whoever stirs up strife with you
    shall fall because of you.
Behold, I have created the smith
    who blows the fire of coals
    and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy;
    no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
    and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
    and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:5,8b,10-17

“God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” Psalm 46:1-3

The contrast Isaiah makes between the fidelity of man and God is stark. Trouble and storms pepper all of life, but the God of the whole earth establishes His beloved ones securely and forever. He is our sanctuary. Fickle man falters and rattled nations sway, while compassionate God holds His own in peace. The Lord of hosts, Husband and Redeemer, cannot be moved. (Psalm 77:13-20)

Everywhere we turn we see instability and evidence of shaking, brokenness, and trouble. At every turn of emotion or event, every personal threat or breaking newscast, God is present, and presently helpful. It is often the storm and fear that awaken our want for refuge, and the Lord beckons us through toss and tumble to come.

Who, or what fear, unsteadies our core? When anxiety riddles, remember the Lover of our souls! No disruption, physical or psychological, can alter His love. What poisons do we allow to penetrate our peace? He conquers all strife and rules every swell and storm. When we shake, His promises stand.

“’A little Sanctuary’ art Thou to me!
O Jesus, best belov’d! I live with Thee;
My heart has found its everlasting home,
Its sure abiding place where’er I roam.

‘A little Sanctuary’ art Thou to me!
My heart is still’d beneath love’s canopy;
I always am ‘at home’ on land or sea;
All joyfully I pitch my tent with Thee.” ~Emily Crawford (1864-1927)

Father, quell doubts and fear, establish me firmly in Your presence, magnify Your power.