April 1 - God Wins

Isaiah 13:9-13

I have a confession to make...

This week, whenever anyone asks how I'm doing, my response is usually something in the neighborhood of, "I'm fine."

But.
If I'm honest, I'm not "fine."

This week, I have been an absolute basket case of emotions. I can swing from being grateful for daffodils and sunshine to being absolutely undone--and often overwhelmed to the point of tears--by the latest news report of disease running rampant through our world.

If I'm honest, I'm scared.
I think a lot of us are scared.

But do you know what else I discovered this week? Sitting at the foot of the throne of my Father, pouring out my thoughts almost as fast as the tears poured down my face, I heard three surprising, honest words come out of my own mouth:

"I'm so angry."

I did not even realize that it was true until I said it out loud. But as I began to think about how devastating it is that hardworking people are losing jobs, families are losing loved ones, and students are losing delightful dreams of varsity sports and schoolmates and proms, I realized that I really AM angry. I cry out, "this is not how it was supposed to be!" and seethe with fury at a silent enemy who is threatening to steal, kill, and destroy.

Do you know what?
God is angry, too.

In Isaiah 13, we see God coming in a day described as "a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger." In the face of darkness that overwhelms us, we can be assured that this disease will not have the final victory. God's rage burns against the evil, darkness, and death surrounding us. The fear sweeping our world does not get the last word. The evil one does not get to win.

God wins.

GOD. WINS.

So even though I may not know how long these dark days will last,
Even though I don't know when I get to hug my family again,
Even though I don't know what tomorrow will bring,
I know that in the end, on that Day, all will be made right.

And in that truth,
I find hope.

Thanks be to God.