Be Still My Soul

How does the knowledge of God's creation and providence help us?

We can be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that no creature will separate us from his love, for all creatures are so completely in his hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved. (Heidelberg Catechism Q: 28)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way

though the mountains are moved into the heart of the sea

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter,

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of Hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our fortress" Psalm46:1-7

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" John 16:33

I have to admit that I am a person that gives into anxiety easily. My eyes too often look to present circumstances and think that they ultimately have the last word. My heart grows faint at the thought of losing the people that I love dearly. I know that I am not ready for suffering and yet I am certain that it is coming as surely as storm clouds gather together after a sunny day. With the news of the current global pandemic filling the television and radio, I can sense a new wave of anxiety in the atmosphere, one that is also filling my heart as well. In these troubling times where I have been paralyzed by fear, one incredibly comforting truth has clung to me by the grace and mercy of God:

I am not my own

The first question and answer from the Heidelberg Catechism has become a cherished rehearsal that plays over and over again in my head and heart:

What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Answer: That I am not my own, but belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with this precious blood and has set me free from all the power of the devil. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed all things must work together for my salvation. Therefore by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for him.

No matter the anguishes and heartaches that fill these dark days, the unshakable truth and comfort of belonging to our faithful Savior remains unchanged. His righteousness is our cloak and His love is our hiding place and refuge in the storm. By condescending to us and taking on the likeness of humanity, our Shepherd has accomplished everything that our first representative Adam has failed to do. He lived the life of perfect obedience to the law and suffered divine justice under the wrath of God. Christ was raised from the dead in triumphant glory. He ascended to heaven where He now sits at the Father's right hand reigning and ruling over the affairs of men. Beloved we belong to Him forever and always and are being conformed into His image. Beloved He loves us and causes all things to work together for our salvation. Beloved when all is said and done we can, with uplifted head, fix our eyes on things unseen , knowing that "this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison"(2nd Corinthians 4:17.  His striving and obedience has transformed the dark reality of random disasters into afflictions that will ultimately be used for our good by a loving and kind Father. It is wonderfully comforting to realize that we have never left the care of the triune God.

As the storms in this life rage on, as present circumstances threaten to paralyze us and shatter our confidence in what is unseen and eternal, let us consider our faithful Savior's loving care over our lives. He is good and kind, not chiding us in our anxiety, but He invites us to look to Him through the tears to find the rest we desire. He ultimately pens our story, and what He is writing is beyond what we can possibly imagine. As the days grow darker, let us anticipate the joy of finally seeing our beloved Savior returning to gather His flock.

"Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side.

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain

Leave to thy God to order and provide

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still my soul, thy best thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul, thy God doth undertake

to guide the future as He has the past

Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake

All now mysterious shall be bright at last

Be still my soul, when dearest friends depart

And all is darkened in the vale of tears

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

who comes to soothe the sorrows and thy fears.

Be still my soul, the waves and winds still know

His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still my soul, the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone

Sorrow forgot, Love's purest joys restored

Be still my soul when change and tears are past

All safe and blessed we shall meet at last."

-Lyrics by Katherina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegal