The earthquake this past week on the eastern coast of the U.S. struck fear in the hearts of many people.  No way!  How could this happen?  What next?  So many emotions similar to what parents in pain experience.  Shock, denial and fear are huge.  This Bible verse comes to mind:

“I called on Your name, O Lord, out of the lowest pit.
You have heard my voice, “Do not hide your ear from my prayer for relief, from my cry for help.”
You drew near when I called on You;
You said, “Do not fear!”
(Lamentations 3: 55-57)

Ever feel like you are in “the lowest pit”?  I sure have. . . . exactly like this verse describes . . . . Crying out to God to hear my prayer and bring relief, to do something and please hurry!

I don’t know about you, but if I am really honest I would tell you that when I draw near to God I don’t always feel his nearness.  Oh yes, I have felt it — definitely — powerfully — many times, but not every time. . . . those other times I have to rely on my faith and what I believe to be true.   This passage tells me that when I cry out to God and do my best to seek him in my pain,  he responds!  He draws near!  He not only hears, but he takes action . . . He comes to me!   He is moved by my pain.  It touches him.  He is not apathetic towards me.  Don’t you ever believe that!  That is a lie.

What does he say to us?  “DO NOT FEAR!”  Wow.  He says exactly what we need to hear.  He addresses our greatest need down deep at the core of our being.  It’s often unspoken, but he knows it’s there.  This fear is constantly just beneath the surface.  My child’s on drugs?  They have a problem with alcohol?  They’re cutting themselves?  They have an eating disorder?  They have a mental illness?  They’re suicidal?  Attracted to the same sex?  No way!  That sense of foreboding, of what might be coming out there somewhere in the future.  If you weren’t already in the lowest pit, this fear can throw you into it!

So today I pray that this verse will remind you that when your world is “quaking” and you are crying out to God for help, that he hears you, and he will come near to speak words of comfort to your soul.  Exactly what you need to hear.
Dear mom or dad, hear your Heavenly Father, Mighty God, King of the Universe, for whom nothing is too hard, whispering to your heart, “Do not fear!”  May this reassurance lift you out of the pit and set your feet on solid ground , even if an earthquake in your world throws you there, because you know that you are Not Alone!

Do Not Fear!