Trusting God

When I was growing up, family vacation every summer meant a camping trip, usually in the Northwest Cascades. It was the magical part of childhood we look back on wistfully as adults. We hiked all over, usually to the top of a peak with amazing views. We spent hours exploring around our campground, taking stacks of pictures of squirrels and wildflowers, swimming in the creek and playing in the water. When it rained, and it always rained (this is the Northwest, after all) we would crowd into the tent with a lantern and snacks, and all read our books.

One very special vacation we visited the Redwood National Forest in northern California. We stood in awe looking at the trees shooting up and up. Sound seemed muffled except for the birds singing everywhere. And the marvelous scent of the trees there filled you with peace. We were amazed that all the ground was covered with the rich red topsoil from the trees. And yes, we drove through the living redwood tree in our station wagon. It is one of the places my memory seeks out when I feel stressed. All our camping trips were full of fun and unforgettable times, but that year stands out as special.

Right now forests are blazing all over the West Coast. I cried when I heard that they were burning in the redwoods. Many of the very places I walked are now being walked by firefighters, desperately trying to slow flames and save lives and property. The skies and sun are colors that don’t even seem possible. We cry out to God to protect all those who are fighting fires, those being evacuated, and those who have lost their families and homes to the fires.

The Psalmist had experienced terrible times. Yet in Psalm 136 he lists many of the mighty acts God had performed for the Israelites. This psalm is a call and response psalm, in which a canter would sing the verse, and the assembled people would sing the chorus.

King David envisioned building the Temple, but God chose his son King Solomon to build it. The Temple must have been a glorious sight, built of cedar from Lebanon, covered with gold, jewels and carving. My mental picture is that when the organizers planned the great, once-in-a-lifetime Dedication Service for the Temple, someone said, “Well, we must sing ‘His Steadfast Love Endures Forever’.” And all the other planners excitedly agreed, sort of like it was their version of “How Great Thou Art!” At the ceremony King Solomon knelt and prayed a prayer of dedication in front of the assembled Israelites.