Song notes: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though it's waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at it's swelling. Psalm 46: 11-3
Peace is what I leave you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. John 14: 27
Bur now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples "why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4: 39-40
...a great strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire, a still small voice. 1 Kings 19: 11-12
One might call this a truly mad year. Along with the Covid virus, the world has seen an upsurge in apathy, paranoia, violence, distrust, hatred, vindictiveness, confusion, and fear. But as heart-breaking, mind-numbing, and soul-crushing as our present circumstances may be, I believe we've also been provided with a way through the morass. I'm convinced we've been given a special gift of grace during this trying time; the opportunity to prioritize our lives and to focus in on the things which truly matter: kindness, gratefulness, forgiveness, compassion, patience, faith, sacrifice, generosity, and love. "There is no fear in love," says the apostle John. I believe my wife and I are closer to the Lord than we have ever been, and I'm convinced that this is the result of being driven by the current "madness" to prioritize those things which truly count. We choose light over darkness, love over hate, faith over fear.
"The Mad Wind" is fittingly raucous, but it is my hope and prayer that within it's stormy tumultuousness you will hear the still small voice saying to you "Fear not child; I am with you."