Because I have seen God’s word in action during disaster recovery, my confidence in Scripture has grown. The Bible doesn’t shy away from pain as I am often so tempted to do. Rather, God’s word steps into our pain and says so much about crisis.
I still remember my first time in a disaster area. I was in Haiti in a makeshift circle of pastors, meeting outside a perfectly strong church building. They wouldn’t go into the building out of fear. Occasionally during our conversation, someone would muster enough guts to mention a promise of God from Scripture.
So what Scriptures do people think about? Which parts of God’s word do people turn to? Here’s a common oasis. One of the most frequently visited passages in the Bible is Psalm 46. This passage is usually recognized for verse 10 “Be still, and know that I am God”, but what makes this verse all the more meaningful is its context.
Verses 1-2: “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.”
“Earth gives way” sounds like an earthquake; “mountains be moved into the heart of the sea” sounds like a landslide; “waters roar and foam” sounds like a tsunami or hurricane. It’s in the midst of natural disasters we are commanded to “be still”.
If you’ve ever been to a disaster area, or even if you just imagine the scene from the images you’ve seen in the news, meditation is the last thing you feel like doing. But it is in the midst of utter chaos and destruction, God says, “The remedy is still the same. It’s me. When the world is caving in around you, I am your refuge and help. I am your salvation. Know it. Cherish it. Fear not. Be still.” This stillness is the resting place for those who know Jesus.
Here are some other passages:
1 Peter 4:12-13, 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Isaiah 43:1-2, 1But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
Romans 8:18-23, 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Psalm 119:71, 71It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
Ester 4:14-16, And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 15Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, 16“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
How does God’s word comfort you in your trials?
