God Is For You

Some time ago, I read an interesting story about the end of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. In those days, the report from the battlefield was first carried by ship to the southern coast of England and then relayed by signal flags to London.

Apparently, when the report was received at Winchester, the flags on the cathedral began to spell out the message, “Wellington defeated.” Before the message could be completed, a heavy fog rolled in, and people’s hearts sank—Wellington defeated. However, when the mist began to lift, it became evident that the signals on Winchester Cathedral had actually spelled out this triumphant message: “Wellington defeated the enemy!”

Rev. George Antonakos picks up on this story and writes, “Too often we allow the future to be colored by what we understand at the moment… Trust God in the midst of transition and conflict… Let go of panic, release yourself again into his hands. God is for you, and God will see you through. Trust in him.”

Let us pray: Loving God, it is hard to trust in the midst of great difficulty. Our understanding is so limited. Too often, we jump to conclusions and make assumptions about the future based on the way things are today. And so we ask you to help us see beyond the moment—beyond the hurt and the pain, beyond the heartache. Help us to trust that your hand is at work, even now, to heal, redeem, and make whole again. Break into our lives anew, and grant us your peace. Amen.