I've been listening to the newest CD from one of my favorite artists, Meredith Andrews, who writes and sings such beautiful, amazing worship songs. One song in particular, "Not for a Moment," has been a great source of reflection on God's sovereignty and promise never to leave nor forsake His people. It's been especially relevant considering the recent Moore, Oklahoma, tornadoes and other tragedies in our country and around the world - through which we can still see God at work.
One of my favorite stories about the Oklahoma tornado was the elementary school teacher who gathered her students under some structure (I believe desks), had them play makeshift instruments and sing "Jesus Loves Me" through the storm. Somehow - God's how, all the children from that elementary school were spared. And even in the deaths, God is being glorified.
"Not for a Moment," which I've had on repeat for a few days, has a couple lines from the chorus that have stuck most: "After all, You are constant. After all, You are only good. After all, You are sovereign. Not for a moment will You forsake me." The words bring me to tears because they ring so true - El Roi, The God Who Sees Me, has never left me - and never will.
Jesus promised His disciples that in life they would have trouble, but should take heart, because He's already overcome the world! In Romans 5 we also are reminded by the Apostle Paul that, in believers, suffering produces godly traits – perseverance, which leads to character, and character to hope: "And hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out His love on us” (v. 5).
I praise God for His love and sovereignty. He has a definite plan to overcome tragedy and evil that will prevail. Romans 8: 35-39 is appropriate:
35 Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution
or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For
your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, 39 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.
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