Twice this week I woke up to messages saying “I’m ok”. Friends where checking in, first from Beirut, and today from Paris. But I’m reminded that these acts, these cities are yet another line to add to the list. Before them have been other events in other cities, London, New York, Washingon DC.

While it’s easy to become absorbed with fear from what is happening, we must remember this planet we are living on is in the middle of a cosmic battlefield, and these acts are but skirmishes in a greater war that has been played out across this earth for that last 6000+ years.

As I considered these recent events today, the pastor, speaking on trust, read Habakkuk 1:2-4

“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.”

Doesn’t that ring true? So much senseless violence that leads to fear, distrust, and in many cases, more violence. And we are called to something greater, to hope. In fact, we are reminded that God has “plans to give [us] hope and a future.”

When Christ came to this earth, he fought, and won, the war. And then he promised to be with us and not forsake us. Yet still 2000 years have past. And still skirmishes are being fought. And casualties happen. Each. And. Every. Day. Last night, the words of Matt Redman’s “Never Once” came to mind. The song is about looking back and seeing where God has led and the chorus says:

Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Yes, God is faithful. He will never once leave us.

#prayforBeirut #prayforParis #prayforPeople