Television coverage of all the rebuilding after Hurricane Ian made me think of Moses, the Israelites, and the Red Sea, and you must remember the movie The Ten Commandments. Memories of Charlton Heston come flooding back, seeing him standing atop that hill, arms outstretched, staff in hand over the sea…and suddenly, the waters part in the middle — a massive wall of water to the right, and another of equal size to the left. Seeing the dry land before them, a few brave souls set foot between the walls of water. They moved forward unscathed, and immediately, thousands followed, unharmed…nothing like the storm surge of Hurricane Ian.

What must it have been like for the Israelites and for those hurricane victims who could not escape? I was reminded of a portion of Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth
be moved and though the mountains be
toppled into the depths of the sea.
Though its waters rage and foam, and though
the mountains tremble at its tumult,
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob
is our stronghold. (Psalm 46:1-4).

We know that whatever happens to us, God is there, and where we spend eternity will be determined by our response to our ever-present God in all times and in all places.

About the author: Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is the priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.