I was reading some verses of encouragement to my students this morning in class, since a few of them seemed a bit worried about the oncoming storm. I was hanging out in Isaiah 43, one of my favorite passages of encouragement ever, and I happened to flip back a couple of pages and landed on "The Hurricane Chapter of the Bible" -- Isaiah 41. I mean, really. It should have a bold heading above it that says that. Here's a few verses. I was amused and encouraged.
"Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.
Who stirred up one from the east whom victory meets at every step? He gives up nations before him, so that he tramples kings underfoot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow. He pursues them and passes on safely, by paths his feet have not trod. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, the first, and with the last; I am he.
The coastlands have seen and are afraid; the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come. Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, "Be strong!" The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, "It is good"; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved.
(Side note: Did I mention that Greg and his dad have been boarding up our windows today?)
But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Doesn't it make you smile? Who said that our God wasn't a relevant one? :0) Not me.
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