God's Word Proves True ~ Proverbs 30:5-6

 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” ~ Prov. 30:5-6 ESV

 

            The last two weeks have been explosive from the American perspective: the NEO in Afghanistan, the suicide bomber attack which killed 11 Marines, a Corpsman, a Soldier, and scores of Afghans, mass resettlement and vetting issues of the Afghan refugees, COVID issues, flooding, hurricanes … you name it! And I thought 2020 had been the worst so far. In hindsight, I believe it was just the charge igniting the powder on which the world appears to rest.

            There are some who follow every new issue, form an opinion or an argument, and then lifts and shifts as each new wave of immediacy rears its ugly head. There are some who are aware of things and, at times, get riled up (as we like to say back home) but for the most part, if things don’t affect them personally, they don’t get their feathers too ruffled. Then there are the folks who could give a rip less about what’s going on. I’m not completely sure how they can do it but, to some degree, I’m in awe of their ability to appear unphased by all that’s going on in the world.

            The point being … in all this chaos, people ask the question, “Where’s God in all this … if there really is a God?” For the most part, it’s an honest question asked by people who genuinely want an answer. The question I would ask those same people is this: are you truly seeking the answer I would give (God’s answer) or are you simply attempting to find some justification for your decision not to believe in and trust God?

            You see, in all the chaos, God is present. In all the glorious and mundane, God is present. Despite what’s going on in Creation … the Creator is present. If you read the previous verse, you get a better understanding of God’s place in all this:

 

Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know!

 

            Agur, the writer of these proverbs, gets it. These are rhetorical questions he asks. He knows the answers. God is … I AM. He is present. He is the beginning and the end … the Alpha and the Omega … the Bread of Life. The chaos of the world erupts and who are we to question God’s presence? I’m reminded of two other instances in the Old Testament where chaos reigned and God spoke into those situations: God’s still, small voice amidst the chaos (1 Kings 19:11-13) and Job’s response to his wife concerning the trails he faced (Job 2:9-10). In both cases, chaos was present but, more importantly, so was God!

            Like God’s word through the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to all those in exile and oppressed in Babylon, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11). Maybe, just maybe, we will all call upon the Lord and come and pray to Him, and He will hear us. Maybe, just maybe, we will seek Him and find Him, when we seek Him with all our heart.