"God is our refuge and strength, a help always near in times of great trouble. That’s why we won’t be afraid when the world falls apart, when the mountains crumble into the center of the sea, when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains shake because of its surging waves." Psalm 46:1-3 CEB
I am writing this on Wednesday evening, the night before Hurricane Helene is expected to strike Florida in a powerful way. By the time you read this, you will know what damage it caused in our area, and other areas in its path. But at the current time, it is an unknown. There is a great sense of apprehension and concern in our area. Some have forecasted that this will be a powerful storm having a tremendous impact, causing great damage.
You often read that when an event or situation that is incredibly grand, extraordinary, or monumental takes place it is described as being of “biblical proportions.” It often denotes a scale that compares to events portrayed in the Bible, known for its epic and grand narrations. Examples are, “Winds threaten to whip more blazes into fires of biblical proportions” in Southern California and “Canada endured weather of biblical proportions in the past decade.” Yet the phrase is not restricted to natural disasters; for example, a city council meeting can result in a dispute “of biblical proportions.”
We get the message. “Of biblical proportions” is used to describe something that is so immense, so all-encompassing, so staggering in its scope that it cannot be of this world. It must be from something that transcends us. You may find yourself in a situation where you feel you are sunk in the depths of despair or hopelessness. You may find yourself trapped in life, an unfulfilling career, troubling relationships, or a stressful existence. One of biblical proportions.
Yet as difficult a situation you may find yourself within, this crisis of biblical proportions, know that God pours out His love, mercy, and compassion in biblical proportions. Or even greater. That is not of this world. God hears the cries of His people and responds by offering shelter and deliverance from our struggles, pain, and bondage. This true power “of biblical proportions” is greater than anything that this world thrusts at us to work in grand, extraordinary and monumental ways in our lives. In all things, God is our refuge and strength.
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