LOOK HARD

If we look hard enough, we can find facts and lessons about God in just about anything. Take a puppy, for instance. Its faithfulness and loyalty give us a glimpse into God’s character. Watch a doe as it hovers over its fawn while it eats, protecting it from danger. More insights about God’s love and mercy. Be sure to look for your lesson about God today.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally Bair

Lessons from the Titanic

April 15 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
   
Heroes and cowards alike walked across the stage of that great tragedy. For the safety of fellow passengers, many on board willingly gave their lives. But some pushed others out of the way to save themselves. More than fifteen-hundred people perished in the iceberg-laden waters of the north Atlantic that night.

The Titanic was believed to be an unsinkable ship—safe and trustworthy. But she met her match against the icebergs. People today believe in their own Titanics, such as scientific and technological answers, to carry them safely to the other side of the ocean, so to speak. How many of us, when we learn of an iceberg ahead, disregard the warnings, telling ourselves everything will be okay? How many of us float along without a lifeboat, depending on something or someone else to save us? How many mistakenly believe that nothing will happen because we’re healthy … young … financially comfortable … educated?

When we place our faith in man-made things and beliefs, we will founder. None of us can be assured of living comfortably within our invested means … or living to be a healthy hundred-year-old … or …. There are no guarantees in this life.

 “Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, a breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.” (Isaiah 57:13)

Faith in God will help us through our difficulties. God doesn’t promise us a problem-free life, but He does promise to go through them with us as long as we place our trust in Him above all else.

Does that mean we should not buy insurance? Keep a spare tire in our car trunk? Save for emergencies? The book of Proverbs offers practical tips on being prepared for unforeseen problems. The book stresses, however, the need to look first to God for help.

We don’t know what will happen in the future—what icebergs might sink our ship—because some things are out of our control. But we can trust God to be our strength, our peace, and our joy as He walks with us through our difficulties.

Lord, You are “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” (Psalm 46:1) Amen.