Devotion - Psalm 46: God is in Control

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. -Psalm 46

So I got up this morning and had the news on while I was getting dressed.  The very first thing that was on was a warning that we're going to really feel the crunch at the supermarket and at the gas pump - like, really, is that news?  But they have dire predictions that it's only going to get worse.  Ugh!  I should know better than to turn on the news before I do my devotions.  Happy Wednesday!  Here's the news:  it's going to be cold.  It's going to be gray, and it's going to last you the rest of your life... (I stole that from Groundhog Day)

I guess when you put things into perspective, we really don't know what suffering is.  We've never been in captivity.  We've never had to make the choice of serving our God or dying.  We've never had to worry about our food running out in times of drought.  We've never been without a home for years and years and years, wandering around.  We have it pretty good, even when times are tough.  I believe that times will get tougher, even before we're raptured out of here.  It's not going to be easy, and for anyone left behind at the rapture, it's going to be unimaginably hard.  But, there's good news.  During my devotions, I read Psalm 46.  Boy, what a relief to be reminded that God is in control.  He is the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow.  He's the same God that created the world from nothing, with only His voice.  He's the same God that led the children of Israel out of captivity.  He's the God of Jacob.  He's the God who gave us life and breath.  He'll never forsake us or leave us.  When the going gets tough, the tough get going - going to God.  Let Him be your refuge and strength.