You, oh Lord, keep my lamp burning. You have turned my darkness to light. Set my feet high on this mountain and put my enemies to flight. So I…I will praise you as long as I live. Oh I…I will praise you again and again. And when I walk through the valley I will not fear for you are my strength and my shield. When everything around me is overtaken I know I’ll never be shaken. Whoa! I’ll never be shaken! Whoa! I’ll never by shaken. Whoa! I’ll never be shaken.
These are the lyrics of a favorite song we sing at Pioneer Club called, Never Be Shaken. The minute the kids hear the first note, you can count on cheers and much enthusiasm as we sing. I can be having a rotten day, but in those three minutes of singing along and praising God, my heart turns from sorrow to joy – each and every time.
So many things in this world today want to hurt and shake us to the core. Simply watching five minutes of the evening news can leave one feeling flustered and helpless. People beg for peace as they tear their neighbor down. Our children seem to have been left in a world without rules and very little integrity. Many have little faith in our government and feel as though our leaders cannot be trusted with the simplest of tasks. There are days I catch myself uttering a familiar phrase of David, “How long, Lord?”
For many, there is little hope left in this world. Each day seems like a new battle, and each night darker than the one before. Deep hurt and tragedy allow people to question God’s mere existence. Hatred is hurled at others because of a different skin color or occupation, leaving people to wonder why a God of love would allow these things to happen. People are left shaken to the core, searching for a peace they may never find.
The same is not true for those of us who follow the God of Creation. Even in the chaos, we know God is in control as we wait patiently for Him to move. When our eyes are opened to the love of our Heavenly Father, we find a calm in the middle of the storms of life. The darkness may be all around us, but our lamp shines on the path before us and He protects us on the journey. We have an unshaken peace that passes all understanding; a gift given by God himself to those who put their trust in Him.
David writes in Psalm 62, 1Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. 2Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down—this leaning wall, this tottering fence? 4Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.
5Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 6Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
As this world continues to spin in chaos, may it not be so of us that we lost hope in the God of the universe as we await His return. Instead, may we praise God in both the good and challenging times of life, knowing His strength is always with us. For when we are resting within God’s fortress, nothing can shake us!
Placing all hope in God,
Becky Ossefoort