Psalm 65:5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas.

God is so righteous, so holy and pure, that it’s scary, or ought to be. It’s interesting that we speak of “acts of God” only in relation to natural disasters, not acknowledging that good things are His doing, too. God allows the scary things to encourage us to turn our hearts to Him, to recognize that He is “God our Savior.” Just yesterday I watched an interview with a rock musician who hit bottom in his life but then cried out to the God he had known from a distance, and he discovered He was near after all. Now he’s written a book about it! That’s what David was talking about in the second half of this verse, because God is the only trustworthy source of hope. David had no idea of the “ends of the earth” or the “farthest seas” when he wrote this, but he knew God well enough to be sure that there could be no other real hope. God does not “pick on” anyone, but our sins and the sins of others have stored up a mountain of consequences, and sometimes those hit us. If we will indeed turn to God and cry out to Him in repentant faith, we will find that He is “God our Savior” indeed.

This is, of course, central to the Gospel I preach. It is interesting and deeply important that since the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in Northeast Japan, evangelistic efforts have met with unprecedented success. The people have literally been shaken enough that they are looking for and open to a Savior, and rejoice when they find Him. I was with a family from that region last month, and will see them again this weekend. I should not think that they will be as resistant as those I work with usually, but lead them boldly to repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. That will be a powerful witness to everyone in the group, even those who are not from that area. I also need to be bold in presenting Christ to those in this area who are experiencing life-shaking circumstances. They too, perhaps are better prepared to let go of the things that have held them back, so that they may take hold of the one thing that will take them forward to eternity.

Father, thank You for this reminder and encouragement. I see signs all around me of Your plans, Your hand at work, and I am deeply grateful. Help me not miss any of Your appointments, but rejoice to fulfill my part in what You are doing, whatever that might be, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!