Words with Walker

We have seen over the last few months a wide variance in our weather. From bitterly cold days to weeks of unseasonably warm upticks, it has been hard to predict what the climate might be like just around the corner. This makes determining what you will wear on any given day a challenge. We have had days when the temps might vary over thirty degrees. I have learned during these times just to wear more in the morning and then peel off layers throughout the day. I have even developed a slight pessimism about meteorologist’s predictions due to a prognostication of the chance of rain at 15%, only to be caught in a downpour.

The weather is not the only thing that is unpredictable. We live in tumultuous times. The geopolitical instability, economic variability and sociological volatility that presses in on us can leave us overwhelmed. It is easy to get mentally paralyzed and emotionally reactive if you go down any of these rabbit holes too far. Couple this with health concerns, worry over your kids or angst about the future of your church and you have a recipe for depression and anxiety. How are we to respond?

Verses that come to mind are Psalm 121:1-2 which says, I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.” David the warrior/king, who probably penned these words, most likely was referring to a military concept that might be called today as “taking the higher ground.” In this idea those who get above their enemies had a tactical advantage. If you held the higher ground and surrounded the enemy, surrender was imminent. David saw this happen many times in battle. Based on this he was saying that our hope for deliverance comes from God who not only holds the higher ground, he is the one who created the hills themselves. It is trusting in a God who is in control and who never needs sleep that helps us not to slip and fall into some kind of abyss.

When you believe in God during the battle you gain the assurance that he will win the day. Everything around you can seem to be dissolving and the enemy might be pressing down on you. But above those who seek to control you or do you harm is the Lord of the armies of heaven. He is the King over nations, economic systems and yes, even the weather. While we cannot predict how and when he will act, it is certain that he will never be defeated. And because of that, his children can trust in him.

The same God that delivered David from his enemies is the same God that will bring you through the waters of uncertainty and suffering to a place of secure footing. It is time for the church to reflect that kind of stalwart belief in God to the degree that those entangled in the world’s ways might be drawn to the Savior. Keep looking up. He is our transcendent king and immanent deliverer.

Your fellow servant in Christ,
Walker