The gathering storm came incensed;
Clashing clamorously, thundering tumultuously
Escorted by disruptive doubt and ferocious fear
Smarting to spoil, nothing to spare.
When I looked down, alas
Earth trembled and air rumbled
There was no hiding place!
I sneaked into the cleft of the Rock
Put on His lenses, to check it out by faith
And saw Love riding the eye of the storm:
Descending, lifting me on wings of grace.
It was then I saw the driver Peace,
Exploiting the rage to lift me higher,
Sucking the storm to take me farther:
I understood, only because
I looked through His eyes.
Food For Thought: When things get out of hand, the majority throw in the towel. We lose hope for deliverance and change, and give in to whatever will be to become. And what happens to all the believing and work we had put in? Everything is washed away in the unrelenting fury that will stop at nothing until we are broken. Yet I have learned, that God allows the storm, not to sweep us away and waste our efforts. There is no better place to hide than under the shadow of the Almighty especially when strange winds arise. Storms are orchestrated and allowed to draw us closer and make us more dependent on God. The worst times are not the times to give up. The worst seasons demand that we surrender all that we have done and failed to do and let God take us through what we can’t make on our own. Who needs faith to deal with what they can attend without help? It is in the face of unrelenting challenges that our faith is called to persevere, to anchor us to our Mighty Deliverer, and keep us hooked to Him until the gale has passed and peace is restored. Surely, every storm comes to pass. Where you end up after the storm depends on what you do with your faith in the middle of it all.
Scripture: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43: 2.
Prayer: Dear Lord, when things and people rise up against me, help me to stand firm in You knowing that I can fall on Your faithfulness and stand, amen.