Page 29 - Lenten Devotional 2021 updated 01-21

Day 16 - The Last Word

Scripture:
“But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.”
Habakkuk 2:20 NIV

Reflection:
The world is such an awesome place. God has so ordained it to self-perpetuate,
self-propel until such time as Jesus should crack the sky, and time will be no
more. God’s creation is perfect because it perfectly manifests that which God
intended. Of that we can be sure.

We live in a world full of argument and debate and uncertainty and
unpredictability. The Presidential candidates debated the issues for months.
Every piece of legislation issued by our Congress is debated for hours.
Ultimately, however, someone has the last word – a President is elected and
implements his platform; Congressional debate ends, and laws go into effect. As
the rain and wind overwhelmed the entire eastern and southern coasts of these
United States, we were reminded once again that Only God has control over His
own creation, taming the uncertainty and unpredictability of the world. Whether
that uncertainty comes as some physical challenge, or as a destructive force in
our relationships, in the unpredictability of a job, or our finances, the God we
serve has control over every aspect of His creation. And He has promised that if
we love Him first, and seek Him first, and surrender our will to His, we can have
the Peace that Jesus gives to us: the peace of knowing that God has everything
in His hands and He cares for us.

One day, God will step into this world of conflict and say, in effect, “That’s it!
Enough! I will have the last word.” Find strength in knowing that the last word
has not yet been spoken. When it is, the entire universe will be silent before our
infinite God.

Prayer:
Almighty and all wise God, Father and Creator, Giver of Life, Health, Strength
and Power, we come this day giving your Name glory, honor and praise because
of Who You are. Lord, our hearts are so grateful to know that all creation is in
your hands. We hear the wind and the waves, we hear the disagreement within
the government, we’ve heard from the doctors, the lawyers but You, oh God, are
the author and finisher of our faith; in You, oh God, do we put our trust. It is to
you, oh Lord, that we turn for such a time as this. Lord, after all the world falls
silent, after every knee should bow, after every tongue confesses, Lord, we thank
you that we have a home, an eternal home, with no more debates, no more
uncertainty. We praise you God for the hope of an eternity of joy everlasting. In
Jesus’ Name we do pray. Amen.

About the Contributor: Rev. Dr. Dianne D. Coles, Asst Pastor,
Brown Memorial AME Church, Washington, D. C.

A 40-day Journey through a Season of Fasting and Praying 36