A Divine Reminder

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain."

2 Samuel 23:2-4

When your life's foundation is built on the Rock of God, no trial can shake you.

Amelia Earhart was a brave woman in early America. You see, she pioneered the world of women pilots in a time when many people still held sexist views that women were inferior to men, especially in the career world. Yet Earhart forged past such beliefs and accomplished many notable successes in her thirty-nine years on earth. Amelia was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Crossafter she became the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. She also was instrumental in the beginning of The Ninety-Nines, an all female pilot organization. In 1935, Earhart joined the staff of Purdue University's aviation department as a visiting professor. She also helped promote the National Woman's Party, an early supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment. Earhart wrote many best-selling books on aviation and her work as a female pilot in a male-dominated work.

Despite all the good she did while alive, what Earhart is most known for is how she died. Earhart attempted (and succeeded at) many record-breaking flights and in 1937 she and co-pilot Fred Noonan attempted to circumnavigate the globe. Their early attempts failed due to mechanical issues, but after a few fixes and a change in plans, the two left Miami, Florida, on June 1, 1937, and by flying east they reached Lae, New Guinea on June 29. The plan was to cross the Pacific Ocean and land at their final destination of Howland Island, only the plane never reached the island.

The last transmission United States Coast Guard on the ground at Howland Island received from Earhart indicated the plane was near the island yet because of the large black clouds around the island, the crew couldn't see clearly enough to perform a safe landing. The plane circled the area until fuel ran out and all radio contact was lost. After several days of searching, Earhart and Noonan were declared missing. A few years later, they were both declared dead.

During his last few moments on earth, David remembers God's blessings and passes on wisdom to those around him from what he had learned throughout his life. One advice of note is his reference to God as "the Rock of Israel."

Israel was about to face a time of great mourning and loss. They were going to be put through the process of finding, accepting, and following a new king once again. They were facing dark clouds circling the nation as the end of David's kingdom drew closer. Yet David reminded them that though he would be absent, God was their Rock and should be embraced.

Several places in Scripture, God is referred to as our Rock. Deuteronomy 32:4 states, "He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he." Second Samuel 22:47 also says, "The LORD liveth; and blessed by my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation."

One of the toughest things in life is to make sense of painful situations. Society looks to assign blame and wallows in self-pity, yet David reminds us that during even the darkest of times, we have a Rock to whom we can cling.

When your life's foundation is built on the Rock of God, no trial can shake you. Even when dark clouds loom, you are protected by the ultimate Protector. If you're going through a trial, cling to the Rock that is stronger than your situation. Ground yourself on God's eternal promises