Ever-present

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,though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” - Psalm 46:1-3 NIV

It’s been a year since my friends in Northwest Florida (specifically the Panhandle towns of Panama City, Mexico Beach and Port St Joe) survived Hurricane Michael. Michael was the first Category 5 Hurricane to hit the United States since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. We still talk about the pain and destruction left by Hurricane Andrew and Category 4 Hurricane Katrina... but not so much about Hurricane Michael (I wonder why?)

As we look back at the destruction and aftermath of such a significant hurricane, let’s be reminded of where our help and our strength comes from. Not from government or politicians... or even from the throngs of volunteers wielding a hope-giving hand and cases of water, but from Immanuel - God With Us - He is our God, our hope, our refuge, our strength, our ever-present help.

Ever-present. I love that thought.

Knowing that He is ever-present calms me and strengthens me, reminding me that I am never alone. I have nothing to fear.

Let’s praise Jesus for the strength and freedom that He provides and for the grace and hope He gives.

Let’s be reminded that He is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

Let’s praise God for being ever-present... in the eye of the storm, in the clean up and rebuild, and in the normal day to day.

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem