Undaunted

Today is a special day for the USA. Many people have hopes and dreams riding on their new president. Some of the expectations sound messianic, and cannot be fulfilled except by God. I'm praying for peace for the country and for the safety and success of the Obamas, both as presidential family and personally.

Meanwhile, I arrived at work with a headache from interrupted sleep. When I rebooted my computer, a verse popped up on the screen that matches my prayers for the nation as well as for the alumni events of next week. Once again, there's no way of knowing how many alums will show up at the university for reunions. I tend to get a rough estimate in my head – 100 this time around – and just trust, pray, and plan for that. Numbers for such occasions are hard to predict: more showing up is stressful in case we are short of resources, but less is disappointing. The reunion checklist is long, we are still short a few volunteers, and enews for Friday has to be written today because the editor sometimes takes a few days to get it back.

But God's faithfulness, confirmed by scripture and the prophecy of a dear friend this weekend, are soothing and relaxing the clenching of my jaw muscles. He's proved himself over and over, and no matter what is ahead – for you or for me – we can rest assured of his presence and provision.

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*"And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The LORD has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work." 1 Chronicles 28:9–10 NLT

*Then David continued, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly. The various divisions of priests and Levites will serve in the Temple of God. Others with skills of every kind will volunteer, and the officials and the entire nation are at your command.' 1 Chronicles 28:20–21 NLT

*Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. Psalm 94:2-13 NLT

*Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV