A BEACON OF HOPE ON CHIMNEY ROCK
Hurricane Helene caused extreme damage and loss of life when it made landfall this month. Some of the hardest-hit areas were nowhere near the beach. The village of Chimney Rock, NC—over three hundred miles from the coast—was essentially wiped off the map by the storm. Western North Carolina had been soaked with days of “predecessor rains” ahead of the hurricane, and then the storm itself dropped much more moisture onto the already-saturated ground. The namesake for the town is a stone outcropping, called Chimney Rock, which always flies an American flag on top. The flag was taken out in the storm, but a team from the State Parks carved their way to the top as soon as they were able and raised the flag. Town officials hailed it as a beacon of hope. “I know we’ll get through this,” said resident Nick Sottile. “I know we’ll rebuild.”
HOPE BUILT UPON THE ROCK
In Psalm 62, David expresses his concern about enemies who threaten—while concealing their intentions behind words of blessing. Twice in the psalm, David calls God his rock and his salvation, an unshakeable fortress. While these enemies may have had some measure of strength, he knows that true power belongs to the Lord alone, and this brings him hope.
Questions
- How have you been affected by severe weather this year?
- When have you been part of an effort to rebuild something damaged or destroyed?
- What is it about God that makes Him a rock, a fortress, and an unshakeable foundation?
