In the midst of all that is happening in the world around us, it is easy for us to lose hope and despair. To do so is to fail to remember the promises of God and the signs of the past. His promise is still relevant. "Fear not. I am with you". He is the God of the living. He has overcome evil and death and his love is stronger than any form of death and destruction. In the midst of the chaos that surrounds us, he is present. In the midst of the storm, Peter was able to walk on the water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. It was when he made the surroundings his focus that he began to sink. We are called to "walk by faith and not by sight".  The prophetic words of Habakkuk come to mind: "For though the fig tree does not blossom, and no fruit appears on the vine, though the yield of the olive fails and the terraces produce no nourishment, though the flocks disappear from the fold and there is no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD and exult in my saving God." (3:17-18)