Recently, in the western mountains of North Carolina, we experienced an earthquake.
The quake measured 5.4 magnitude. Water lines burst, and streets cracked. Folks over in East Tennessee also felt the mountains tremble. The last recorded quake was documented over one hundred years ago, in 1916. I thought about this verse when I felt the quake: For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
When we know God’s love, we can experience His peace—in times of trouble, turbulence, and uncertainty. Peace when our hearts are breaking and our minds racing.
In Isaiah, God speaks to His people, the Israelites. Over and over, they broke ranks with Him, but over and over, God had mercy on them. Isaiah reminds God’s people of the covenant of peace made with this wayward nation. God responded to them with everlasting kindness. A covenant requires action on the part of both parties. While God has never broken a covenant, humans have.
The covenant God made with His people is also a prophetic promise. In the Old Testament, we know the covenant as the “Covenant of Peace.” Jesus fulfilled this covenant through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Only our Creator could orchestrate the beautiful plan to build a bridge from His heavenly throne into our hearts. Jesus carved out the covenant with his life and sealed it with His blood—becoming our “Gospel of Peace.”
God’s steadfast love will never leave us. He will never remove His covenant of peace, no matter what happens in the hills all around. His perfect peace gives assurance in every circumstance, courage in every challenge, and comfort for every broken heart.
The Lord will not leave us hopeless when the ground crumbles beneath our feet. Nothing happening in our life surprises Him. Although the nights are long and the ground shifts beneath our feet, we are not alone.
Remember God’s promises and call on His name. He will give you perfect peace.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and FrankyFromGermany.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
Kathy Martin-Stricker is a writer.