Bathing in Arctic Weather. Devotions from the Psalms (27:5)
"For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide
me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." (Ps 27:5 NIV)
As humans beings, we all face trouble. If not daily, then at least weekly! But
then, that's what Jesus warned us of: "In this world you will have trouble."
(John 16:33 NIV)
This can take a toll at us, especially when some of these "troubles" are in the
hurricane category. Still, amidst all of this turmoil, we can find safety and
peace in God who will sustain us. Consider the following example:
It can be freezing outside in the Reykjavik region of Iceland, but once in the
Blue Lagoon, the geothermally-heated seawater keeps you quite warm and safe at
37 to 39 degrees Celsius. No dangers lurked here. Even the bacteria common to
man cannot life in this water! No chlorine is needed! Amazingly, once you are in
the water, the water so thoroughly relaxes you that worries seem to evaporate to
nothingness.
At the lagoon, six million liters of geothermal-heated water, consisting of
two parts saltwater and one part freshwater, are renewed every forty hours. The
water contains minerals, silica and algae, which is proposed to work wonders on
skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, and a horde of diseases I've never
even heard of!
What is even more astounding is that the Blue Lagoon is located right between 2
continents. Two tectonic plates, the Eurasian plate and the North American
plate, meet nearby the Blue Lagoon, and are closely associated with
Iceland's active volcanic systems. Although stress may be experienced deep in
the earth, once in the Blue Lagoon, we don't even remember it. We are perfectly
at peace amidst elements that could otherwise take their toll on us.
This is what King David is referring to when he wrote Psalms 27:5. We can be at
rest amidst the storms of our life if we leave everything we face in God's
hands. We don't need to be in control! God is!
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
NIV." (Matt 11:28-30 NIV)
Last week I had a tumultuous time at work. It was the kind of turmoil that can
leave you haggard on the outside and completely empty on the inside. But I had
something to look forward to once I got back home: I could rest in the presence
of God, basking in His restoring power. He revives me, He fills me with inner
peace, and He reassures me that everything is O.K. He is in charge and He will
never let me down. And THAT is truly something to look forward to, believe me!
With even greater anticipation than vacationing in another country!
Although the outlook for next week at work isn't looking too positive either, I
can still look forward to hiding in the shelter of His presence. In Him I am
truly at peace!
Anyone can experience God. All we need to do is to come to Him, to be willing to
hand Him the reins of our lives. Interestingly, the storms of life will grow
strangely dim, but His face will radiate through the haze of circumstance, and
our focus will be riveted on what is most important in life: our Forever Friend
Himself!
Rob Chaffart