Crowning Upheaval With Beauty

While driving from Atlanta to DC, we seemed to enter a landscape painting. Surrounded by glorious mountains and beauty, we made our way through the Shenandoah Valley. Captivated by the mountains, I remembered they are formed through upheaval. It made me think of God’s desire to showcase who He is by bringing beauty from ashes. (Isaiah 61:3) He can crown our upheavals with His beauty; make the enemy wish He had never moved; and be seen as the Lord. Wait on Him. He is sovereign over every upheaval we encounter. He has a plan.

With those visuals in mind, let’s meditate on Psalm 46,

“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 its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the LORD,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

‘Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!’

The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah”