In August of 2011, we experienced an earthquake here in Virginia. There was some significant damage to several buildings in our town and as I drove through town the following morning, the police were out in force and Main Street was still closed to traffic. When I turned on the radio that afternoon, all of the news was about the earthquake…and about Hurricane Irene, which was coming that weekend. What are we to do when these things happen? Does the Bible have anything to say about this? Yes! Let’s listen to one Old Testament psalmist and what he had to say to God’s people—and then to what God has for us today:

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! (Psa. 46:1-3)

And later, in Psa. 50:14-15, he says,

Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.

You and I cannot control natural disasters; in fact, to some extent, they control us! In today’s first passage, the psalmist says that God is always ready to help. He is there for us, a source of strength, a hiding place, when life gets to be too much. He says, “So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble and the waters surge!” What a great passage! The earthquake came that day in 2001. And the next weekend, the waters surged. If you are fearfully looking ahead to life's coming storms, let me encourage you to trust God for the outcome. Go to Him for refuge and strength. Our second passage reminds us to approach God thankfully. Thankfulness in the face of trouble is true worship. Has God ever done anything for you? Do you have anything in your life for which you’re thankful? Of course you do!

Today, take time to thank God for His grace that is constantly and relentlessly at work in your life. When troubles come, as they surely will, call upon the Lord and thank Him. Let’s listen to Psalm 50 one last time: “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Remember, earthquakes will come and storm waters will surge but God will always be with you and me to help...and that is very Good News!