Embracing the Storm: Discovering God's Presence in Turmoil
Psalm 55:8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
Not one of us would prefer the windy storms and the tempests over blue skies and sunny days, for we see not the value of the storm; we see only the destruction. But were it not for destruction close by, we would not soon be close by our Savior for refuge! I have quoted him before, but it is worth repeating; Charles Spurgeon once said something to this effect, “I have learned to kiss the wave that thrusts me against the Rock of Ages!” Psalm 107:23-24 says, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.” “Why?” might you ask, “Why must we face the storms of life which bring such destruction?” My dear friend, according to the scriptures, it is because the Lord has something He wants us to see that we would never see anywhere else! Think not of the storm as a force that has come to destroy, but rather a force that has been sent to open your eyes to the wondrous works of God. For in the storm you will learn of His might! You will learn of His faithfulness! You will learn of His promises! You will learn of His steadfastness! You will learn of His glory! You will learn of His wisdom! You will learn of His comfort! You will learn of His peace that passes all understanding! In fact, there will be far more you will learn of Him IN the storm, than you will ever learn in smooth sailing. Faith that is not tested is faith that is not reliable. Our Father uses the trials of this life to purge us of the impurities of the heart, mind, and soul which would otherwise blind us to His power and glory. Many times we find ourselves as King David, wishing to hasten the process along. We wish, as it were, to hasten our escape from the windy storm and tempest. However, we must learn as Job did, that our times are in the hands of our Lord! He will calm the storm, rest assured! Only know that He knows when best to do so. If we learn to trust Him when we have absolutely no clue why or how this storm could EVER bring ANYTHING good, that is when we begin to see the kind of faith that moves mountains! Perhaps the Divine objective, more than anything, is to learn that we don’t need perfect conditions in order to be safe; we need only Him! Meditate on this!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
Not one of us would prefer the windy storms and the tempests over blue skies and sunny days, for we see not the value of the storm; we see only the destruction. But were it not for destruction close by, we would not soon be close by our Savior for refuge! I have quoted him before, but it is worth repeating; Charles Spurgeon once said something to this effect, “I have learned to kiss the wave that thrusts me against the Rock of Ages!” Psalm 107:23-24 says, “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.” “Why?” might you ask, “Why must we face the storms of life which bring such destruction?” My dear friend, according to the scriptures, it is because the Lord has something He wants us to see that we would never see anywhere else! Think not of the storm as a force that has come to destroy, but rather a force that has been sent to open your eyes to the wondrous works of God. For in the storm you will learn of His might! You will learn of His faithfulness! You will learn of His promises! You will learn of His steadfastness! You will learn of His glory! You will learn of His wisdom! You will learn of His comfort! You will learn of His peace that passes all understanding! In fact, there will be far more you will learn of Him IN the storm, than you will ever learn in smooth sailing. Faith that is not tested is faith that is not reliable. Our Father uses the trials of this life to purge us of the impurities of the heart, mind, and soul which would otherwise blind us to His power and glory. Many times we find ourselves as King David, wishing to hasten the process along. We wish, as it were, to hasten our escape from the windy storm and tempest. However, we must learn as Job did, that our times are in the hands of our Lord! He will calm the storm, rest assured! Only know that He knows when best to do so. If we learn to trust Him when we have absolutely no clue why or how this storm could EVER bring ANYTHING good, that is when we begin to see the kind of faith that moves mountains! Perhaps the Divine objective, more than anything, is to learn that we don’t need perfect conditions in order to be safe; we need only Him! Meditate on this!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill