The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress

Hello Refuge Family,
It’s really hard to believe that many of us are evacuating and being displaced all over again. It feels like a bad dream. This last week has been alarming. From a small earthquake to the shooting at Ridgeway High School to the spreading Kincade fire and mass evacuations - I just keep thinking through the words of Psalm 46...

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done; the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.' The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

If the last years have taught the citizens of Sonoma County anything it is that life is uncertain and prone to upheaval - a fact that is confirmed in Scripture. Remember the words of Jesus, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart - I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). That’s what we see in this Psalm. We see a God who is more powerful than anything, and though he doesn’t always stop the earthquake, storm, raging sea, or chariot, He promises us his presence. He is an ever present help. He is with her (His people). "The LORD almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." I pray that in these days and hours of uncertainty you would hold and cling to the promises of God’s presence.

I’ve talked with so many of you either over the phone or through text and you all are amazing - taking care of one another, opening your homes, or finding a place for each person to land. Refuge, keep doing what you’re doing. In the next few days we will know more about how we can respond as a community. At this point it’s just a waiting game. We are praying for you and praying with you, church. Let’s continue to pray for the safety of the firefighters and first responders. Let’s continue to pray that God would spare the neighborhoods of Windsor and Santa Rosa. I encourage you to make your anxieties into prayers however short or long, however angry or afraid, take it all to the Lord who is with you, who loves you, and who cares for you. Take your doubt and frustrations to him and see how he’ll answer you with his presence.

Keep your eyes on the Lord who always does great things, who gives life to the dead, and brings resurrection life out of death! "The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

- Char (on behalf of the elder team)