Canyon Ministries
[Originally published as Our Refuge and Strength]
Struggle. We all face it. During this time of difficulty, we each have our own battles to face. No matter what comes our way, the beauty of struggle is we serve a Creator God who does not have to face the same struggles we do, yet has chosen to be a “very present help in time of need.” God chooses to dwell in feeble human hearts. He desires to give us strength, endurance, and staying power.
The picture above was taken on our last river trip of 2019 while standing on the shore at the mouth of Separation Canyon. It was here, in 1869, that three men from John Wesley Powell’s historic expedition separated from the party with a goal to hike out on their own. They were never seen again.
These three men faced struggle in the canyon. They were unsure of their leader, and unsure of the journey ahead. Rather than remain, they took matters into their own hands and left the refuge and strength of the collective group and its leader. This was a fatal flaw. If they had only stayed the course and trusted the “captain of the ship”, they would have made it to safety and exited the canyon within the next two days.
Often we do not know the journey ahed of us in life, but we can have faith and trust in our Captain and Creator who does. Sometimes the best thing we can possibly do is simply shelter in Him and stay the course He’s given us.
Whatever struggle you’re facing right now, whether its the Covid-19 Coronavirus epidemic or something completely unrelated, He is present. God is the great I AM. Take a moment right now to commune with your Creator and take refuge in His strength for you.
–Nate Loper
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Great application from the Powell Expedition! How true it is that many quit just before the end is achieved, and their end doesn’t fare well. Great photography as well. William