Above the Flood

The LORD sits enthroned above the floodwaters,

and the LORD remains King forever.

(Psalm 29:9)

I read these words during Morning Prayer on Tuesday, my heart heavy with the events taking place in our Capitol. Fear, anger, accusations, uncertainty, violence in word and deed—the floodwaters threatening our nation can seem hopelessly overwhelming. David’s song, however, lifts our vision, and reorients our hope.

Not only is the LORD not overwhelmed by these events, he “sits enthroned above” them. He has an eternal perspective that we lack, and an unthreatened, eternal authority that will channel these floodwaters into his purposes. Creating order out of chaos is his specialty.

The psalm continues with a promise for the LORD’s people in the midst of chaos:

The LORD shall give strength to his people;

The LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.

(Psalm 29:10)

As we reorient our hope away from human intervention to the One who “remains King forever,” he gives us strength and peace. These gifts enable us to extend the creative authority of our King into the chaos—strengthening those weakened by fear (Isaiah 35:3-4); furthering peace among those inflamed by discord (Matthew 5:9). These are more than words; they are the way of life for God’s people in these days. The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way:

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of join but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled…. (Hebrews 12:12-16).

As we watch events unfold in the days to come, let us remember to lift our eyes to the King enthroned above the heavens, and to offer strength and peace to each other in word and deed, in person and online.

Your Pastor in Christ,

Travis+