On This First Saturday In September

This morning on this first Saturday in the month

of September, it feels more like a day in mid-October.

The air is cool, the sky is overcast, and a light rain is

falling gently from the sky.

It's that time of year again.

We are currently in the thick of hurricane season.

After the ravaging of the Texas Gulf Coast by Hurricane Harvey

 last week,  for those of us who live on the East Coast of the United States, 

  anticipating this year's wait-and-see game in regards to

 to where one of these treacherous storms of the Atlantic

 may strike next, is a little like walking on eggshells.

 A satellite image of Hurricane Harvey on a collision

course with the Texas Gulf Coast

Despite the great advances made in studying weather and weather

patterns in our high tech 21st century world, no one can really predict

the chosen path of these megalithic tempests. 

However, what I know I can do in these uncertain times and in

this mercurial season of unpredictable storms, is put my hope

and trust in Almighty God.

In the words of the prophet Isaiah, 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you,

and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned

or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you."

Isaiah 43:2

In the biblical commentary of Matthew Henry, this 

particular passage from the Book of Isaiah reflects God's care

and concern for His people.

Isaiah here is referring to the nation of Israel, the descendants

of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, who have walked and participated in

regular disobedience to God, and yet, even in their rebellion, like 

the loving Father He is, God looks after them.

As a member of the gentile branch grafted into the Jewish olive tree through

my belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, this chapter reminds me that

we are God's workmanship, created by Him unto good works.

In Ephesians 2:10 the apostle Paul attests,

"For we are God's own handiwork, His workmanship,

recreated in Christ Jesus, born anew, that we may do good works which

God predestined, planned beforehand for us, taking paths which He prepared

ahead of time, that we should walk in them living the good life in

which He prearranged and made ready for us to live."

America was founded on the principles found within God's Word.

Our pilgrim ancestors dedicated this land to the Lord Jesus Christ.

A little over one hundred years later, our Founding Fathers

constituted their government in accordance with the precepts of

the Lord found within the Bible.  Whether they realized it at the

time or not, their actions further sealed the covenant made with God

by those first Christian refugees who came here to find a new home,

in this great land where they could worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Like those led out of slavery in Egypt by Moses, God has redeemed 

His children from the bondage of sin through the death of His beloved Son

on the cross.  We have been redeemed by the precious shed blood of Messiah

Jesus. We are called "a peculiar people" whom God has distinguished from

others. We have been set apart for Him.  Therefore, since we have been

called forth from out of the world and into His presence, we need not

fear, even when the reason to fear overwhelms us.

"We are assured and know that God, being a partner in their

labor, all things work together and are fitting into a plan for good

to and for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

Notice in this particular passage,

 Paul tells us that "all things...are fitting into

plan for good" not that all things that happen are good.

It often takes a natural disaster like a bad storm,

 or an man-orchestrated tragedy

like September, 11, 2001 to wake people up 

from their self-centeredness

and petty concerns and realize what is most important in life.

Our nation has been beset by great division, hostility, and hatred.

  It is time that it stopped

In the wake of the terrible flooding and devastation caused by

Hurricane Harvey, I have witnessed an outpouring of love and concern

of people from all over this nation for the people of the Texas Gulf Coast.

  Our wonderful President Trump not only visited

 the storm-ravaged areas, but, pledged one million dollars of

his own money to help the victims of the hurricane. 

Far more importantly, he has called for a National Day of Prayer

for the people of Texas and  America.  

May God bless President Trump, his family, and his

administration in these uncertain times.

And may God continue to bless and have mercy on

the United States of America.

President Donald Trump praying with Christian leaders

at the White House

At The Place Of The Sea

(Based on Exodus 14)

Have you come to the Red Sea place in your life,

Where, in spite of all you can do,

There is no way out, there is no way back,

There is no other way but through?

Then wait on the Lord, with a trust serene,

Till the night of your fear is gone;

He will send the winds, He will heap the floods,

When He says to your soul, "Go on!"

And His hand shall lead you through, clear through,

Ere the watery walls roll down;

No wave can touch you, no foe can smite,

No mightiest sea can drown.

The tossing billows may rear their crests,

Their foam at your feet may break,

But over their beds you shall walk dry-shod

In the path that your Lord shall make.

In the morning watch, 'neath the lifted cloud,

You shall see but the Lord alone,

When He leads you forth from the place of the sea,

To a land that you have not known;

And your fears shall pass as your foes have passed,

You shall no more be afraid;

You shall sing His praise in a better place,

In a place that His hand hath made.

Annie Johnson Flint