In God, Our Solid Ground

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV

The night sky had been brilliant with the 4^th of July fireworks, but now the sky was dark.  Tired summer campers collapsed in bed after camp counselors finished their nightly devotions. Along the edges of the Guadalupe River, hundreds crawled into their RVs, tents, and cabin beds, unaware their world would soon be upended forever.   An unknown and raging monster was awakening in the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country of Texas. At 3:45 A.M, the levels began to spike, and within an hour, the calm, peaceful river had risen 22 feet, unleashing unbelievable terror along its once gentle banks. The river claimed 129 souls, with over 150 still missing as of Friday.

That night, Camp Mystic’s heart was torn apart as 27 of their campers and counselors were swept under the restless rage of the river, including the beloved camp director. Dick Eastland. The grandfather of 11, a third-generation manager and passionate guardian of the girls, lost his life trying to save “his” girls. Generations have been impacted since University of Texas coach “Doc” Stewart founded the camp in 1926. The vision was to provide young girls with a “wholesome Christian atmosphere in which they could develop outstanding personal qualities and self-esteem” (Camp Mystic website).

In the aftermath of a tragedy, there are lots of questions, but few answers. However, one question worth asking is, what does God do for us when He knows our world will never be the same again? The first and greatest answer we get is God Himself. The Texas floods left families devastated, homes destroyed, and lives upended, but the presence of God continues to hold them, love them, and encourage them. Through all the tragedies of this past event and all that will come, He assures us He will never leave us alone:

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Joshua, who had always been in the shadows of the legendary leader Moses, found himself thrust into the role of leading a nation into their new homeland. When fear and doubt most likely overwhelmed Joshua, God came alongside him and told him three times, “Be strong and courageous.”  God’s reassurance to Joshua still holds true for us today: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Your assurance of God’s presence came with the final benediction of Jesus before he ascended into heaven, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:20) Whatever happens in life, you have the final promise of Jesus that He will be with you. That will see you through the darkest days!

The second answer to the question of what God does for you is to give you community. God never expected or desired for us to walk this journey of life outside of community. Paul reminds us in Galatians to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (6:2) Luke captured the heart of the early church with the words, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” (Acts 2:44-45)

Solomon understood the value of togetherness as he wrote, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Jesus closed out the question about which was the greatest commandment in the Law with the simple yet difficult response, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39). Henri Nouwen once said that true community is the place where “the individual we least like always lives next door.”

Community has been on full display this week in central Texas as countless thousands of volunteers have come from all over the United States. Though the majority hadn’t experienced a loss or even knew anyone impacted by the flood, they still needed to go and help. Joining others, they have walked the riverbank searching for the missing, cleaning out strangers’ houses, fixing meals, and simply being the “hands and feet” of Jesus.

Community can be described either as a beautiful symphony or a bunch of screeching, out-of-tune instruments. Jacob Collier, in a YouTube lecture on harmony in music, said, “Harmony is what happens when you put more than one note next to each other and they all happen at the same time. Harmony gets more exciting the more notes you add.”

God planned for community to be that expression of harmony. South African pastor Nkosinathi Mbuyazi said it well, “Harmony is beautiful in music, but far more beautiful in relationships. I am an individual note, being composed in Christ into perfect harmony. When I live a reconciled life, I come together with a community of others appreciating our differences and choosing to find the ways we fit together like pieces of a puzzle. The gospel has a remedy for my places of friction; seek a reconciliation that values all unique stories and differences and put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

“In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song.

This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.

My comforter, my all in all, here, in the love of Christ, I stand.” (First stanza, In Christ Alone, Keith & Kristyn Getty)

God is great!