Article August 8, 2005 Issue

'BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM THY GOD'

By Marta Greenwood

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. ... The Lord of host is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.—Psalms 46:1,2,7

MY OFFICE IN LONDON is just down the road from Tavistock Square, site of a deadly bus bombing on July 7. I had an office appointment at 10 a.m. that morning, but I had to cancel it because of another assignment, which thankfully kept me from going to work.

After learning that several bombs had exploded in one section of the city, I was swept up in the anxiety of finding the whereabouts of my family members. As London phone lines and mobile lines were down, we all began to become quite concerned about one daughter whose office was right near the explosions. Normally, I'm a calm person and have great confidence in God's goodness and protection. But this time, panic set in.