“Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”   (Deuteronomy 7:21)

I must say that I am not surprised that Russian authorities have had to search for wanted terror suspects during weeks leading up to the opening of the XXII Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. It’s almost an expectation these days that when the masses gather, there is the potential threat of harm. Additionally, competing American athletes have been warned not to wear their uniforms outside of the games so as to not become potential targets. Speed skater Tucker Fredericks has asked his family not to attend the Olympics, even though it’s his third and most likely final participation.  He had security concerns, and worrying about them would be a distraction.  And finally, airlines providing transportation headed to Sochi were warned just days before the opening ceremonies that terrorists may try to hide explosives in toothpaste tubes on Russian-bound flights.  How sad . . . all of it.

Is it the best of times, or the worst of times?  It’s just another example of today’s world and how “the devil is in the details.”  We often hear this phrase when someone is talking about how small things can be overlooked and cause problems later on.  The figure of speech is actually taken from an earlier saying, “God is in the details.”  So which is it?  An argument can probably be made for both. However as Christians we stay focused on the God details, knowing that He “is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

If we allow our fears to keep us from doing things, then the terrorists win.  This was the prevailing mantra after the attacks on 9/11.  This does not mean that we act without caution. As Believers, we must ask for spiritual wisdom to guide our decisions and help us discern between good and evil.  In doing so, we gain confidence to face an uncertain world.  Recently I heard it stated this way:  “What we know of God encourages us to trust Him in all we do not know.”

Athletes train for many years to accomplish what some will describe as ‘awesome’ during the Olympic competitions.  It’s an expression that has become overused in recent years.  Yet long before it was popularized, the writers of scripture used the word awesome over and over again to describe our Lord and God.  The awesomeness of God didn’t require any training.  It was there in the beginning, continues to be, and will endure for evermore. He is the One who has demonstrated the wondrous details of Creation and Salvation, and it is in Him I am assured to place my faith. How awesome is that?

REFLECTION:  What threatens you from feeling totally secure in your daily walk?  In the details of your life, what tangible person or item provides your greatest refuge?  If it was no longer there, what would be your source of strength?

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