Song of the Nile

I was going through some old files and came across this thing I wrote when I was in Cairo last year. I guess I was planning to post this at some point of time but apparently that never happened. My room faced the River Nile and so everyday when I woke up and went to bed I had this river flowing right outside... it can be quite an experience especially when you consider what this river signifies. 

Anyway, enough with my chatter and so, here it is...  better late than never! 

I am in Cairo right now on a work related assignment, and as I write these words I am looking at the river Nile flowing right in front of me… this river has seen the hand of God move in mighty and miraculous ways; this river was touched by the hand of God to help liberate his people who were in bondage in this land; this river has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations and cultures, and yet it flows like it always has… unchanging and enduring.

Thousands of years ago, the Egyptians were a powerful race — masters in warfare, sophisticated in culture, skilled in engineering, experts in astronomy and wizards in science but where are they today?

The ancient Egyptians are now a mere footnote in history and their grandeur is nothing more than a fuel for a thriving tourism business in today’s Egypt. But back then, they were feared and the Hebrews in bondage suffered under their yoke. Like all great powers across the span of history, they were feared and admired.

if you were one of those people groups oppressed by the ancient Egyptians, no one would be surprised if you felt their oppression won't stop and that it would only grow in stature but the fact of history is that great civilizations don't last. In the same way, many of the big powers today  will cease to be so in years to come and someone else will take their place.

So if you are afraid of something today or feel that you are a victim of injustice, rest assured… the evil powers don't have eternity at their disposal. They will soon fade and become part of some souvenir or a stop on an itinerary.

 As I look at the river Nile I cant help thinking that this river has witnessed this evolution over the years - it has been there when the powers that ruled this land were mighty and fearsome, and it is here today when the powers that rule this land aren't so powerful. 

If there is one power that remains strong and powerful and eternal through the ages, it is God. He alone is the one we need to fear and acknowledge because unlike worldly powers, his ‘power’ is punctuated with love, grace and mercy, and its greatest expression was the cross on which Christ died and then rose again.

Let’s remain mindful of Him always… and not surrender ourselves to fear and worry because those who trust in the Lord will not suffer shame and those who hope in him will not be disappointed.