God is With Us

"Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples."  -Psalm 117:1

This photo was taken many years ago using a film camera. It had a tendency from time to time to not wind the film forward--hence, the double exposure.  For me this photo captures what was to come a few years later--a ghostly image of the New York skyline.  I feel the Statue of Liberty represents America more than the Stars and Stripes because it tells our story of welcoming refugees--people looking for freedom from religious persecution, war, or less than subsistent living conditions.  Unfortunately, the attack on America on 9-11 seems to have brought us to today where people are afraid of what the Statue of Liberty stands for--liberty for all.

In today's Our Daily Bread Poh Fang Chia writes about keeping a journal in which to note the things we are thankful for as a way "to be mindful of God's presence and grateful for His provision and care."  In the Insight comments Mart DeHaan writes, "Together we are all still learning to thank God--not for everything that has happened to us--but rather that, in everything, our good God is with us."

If we truly believe that our good God is with us in all things, we would not let the events of 9-11 cause us to live in fear.  Our fear is preventing refugees from living in a safe haven where they have a chance to come to know God through Jesus Christ.  I believe God intended America to be a nation of all nations where we could all come together to praise and worship Him.  Instead, America is causing people to question His love and to turn away from Him.

I am grateful for those who refuse to live in fear, believing our God is good and is always with us.