Thursday, September 2, 2010

Screams in the Desert

     Does God hear our cries in the wilderness? My dear friend who in the past year has been laid off from her 19 year career, been diagnosed with breast cancer, had a double mastectomy and is beginning reconstructive surgery, and awaiting a hysterectomy while she jumps through insurance company hoops and red tape, began to wonder about that the other day. We both love to read Streams in the Desert, a devotional book by Mrs. L. B. Cowman, and boost eachother's faith with the gems of wisdom printed there. She commented in an email to me on a particularly frustrating day dealing with doctor's answering machines, unresponsive receptionists, and overbooked operating rooms that she felt like her life was more a reflection of Screams in the Desert instead.  The poor thing probably felt like screaming considering the maze of gobbledygook she had to deal with in the medical industry. 
     Psalm 46 encourages us when we feel lost in the turmoil of living in this world to remember that..."God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  It reminds us that we don't have to be bound up in anxiety..."even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling."  It tells us we can absolutely be refreshed in His streams in the desert..."there is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High."  And the best part about those streams is that..."God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn." When we feel like screaming at the top of our lungs there is a whisper that is louder than the terrible torrents...."Be still, and know that I am God;..." When His grace flows freely in our lives we can be assured that while we might be on a white water adventure He won't allow us to drown in the process.