Isaiah 14:24, 26-27
24 The Lord Almighty has sworn,

“Surely, as I have planned, so it will be,

and as I have purposed, so it will happen.

26 This is the plan determined for the whole world;

this is the hand stretched out over all nations.

27 For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him?

His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

Isaiah 25:1
1 Lord, you are my God;

    I will exalt you and praise your name,

for in perfect faithfulness

    you have done wonderful things,

    things planned long ago.

Reflection:
Do you remember the well-known children’s song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”? The scripture reminds me of this familiar tune that I sang many times growing up. Perhaps that song helped with my faith formation. As a child, we have so little responsibility, and our parents and family make most of the decisions and meet most of our needs. There does come a time when we start to take that responsibility into our own hands and our independence begins to grow. And with that comes the inevitable bump(s) in the road where it becomes easy to question, “God, are you there?”

As I reflect back on my life, I can see where God has shown up in hard times and provided the things I needed at just the right time. God has provided the big things: a new church home and faith community when I moved from Georgia to Texas following grad school, a purpose to serve with a group of amazing students in student ministry, a team of friends and acquaintances willing to come help clean up a flooded home after Harvey, among many others. God also provides the small things: a smile from a stranger, a text/call from a friend just at a time when I am feeling down, a timely song or scripture that comforts me right in the moment.

Our God is a big God, and it’s hard to imagine God cares for all of us at such a granular level, but God does. God created everything, and throughout Scripture, has continued to show up. God promised to love us, even when we may not return that love. God sent Jesus to save us from our sins and the Holy Spirit to be our advocate. God created the master plan and has the whole world in God’s hands. During these recent times of uncertainty, when tempted to question “God, are you there?”, I turn back to scripture and my life and trust that even though times are hard, God has a history of showing up and making something beautiful.

Closing Prayer:
God, our creator, we thank you for showing up in the past during the hard times and the joyful times. We are facing trying times right now, but we pray you would help us continue to turn to you in this moment and in the months to come. Thank you, Lord, for keeping us in your hands. Amen.