It loomed, angry, raging, a cataclysm
Of threatening thunders and darkening clouds
I was so afraid I shivered in my sweat;
So far out at sea, no land or help in sight.
How would I face this monster alone?
“I am unable,” I concluded. With nothing
Left to do, nowhere to turn to,
And no one else around, I waited
As it bullied and baited and battered.
What had cost me years of intense effort
Swept away in a twinkle of an eye.
Devastated, I was abandoned, barely
Able to breath, wondering how I’ll survive.
It is not strange that there are times we grow weary and falter in faith. What is strange is that the righteous refuse to stand after a fall; to forgive after offence, to cast wretched pasts behind and press on courageously to a glorious future, to discard disappointments and faithfully pursue purpose, to sail on to destination after the storm. The disaster is not the issue but what was made of it. Look intently at yourself and where you are right now, what are you doing with all that is going on? It plays a critical role in your next steps.
Every fisherman encounters storms at sea. The deeper you go, the higher the risk. Yes, you may stand to gain more by going farther than everyone else and reducing competition. The other side of the coin is that your exposure will be higher and you run the risk of being stranded alone under unfavorable weather conditions. Everyday living is fraught with risks. The more you want, the farther you may have to travel, and the greater your harvest as well as the possibility of danger. Disaster is registered when those that went to sea are swallowed by the storm. However, joy and celebration awaits the return of those with net breaking catches.
That we are buffeted is not strange. Have you forgotten that even with the Lord at sea, the storm dared to raise its voice? Trials did not avoid Him. In fact, He was tempted in all, not some. His victorious emergence from all of them is an eternal testimony unto us, that if we can keep our eyes on Him, we will not just escape. We will step out with astounding testimonies of supernatural interventions. I have learned over time, that terrible storms provide opportunities for us to exercise magnanimous faith so we can experience the boundless wonders of our mighty Deliverer.
Are you in the storm right now? The Lord of storms is right there with you so be still and enjoy the surpassing peace of His ever abiding Presence. Are you struggling to get over seemingly insurmountable tasks? The Mountain Mover is there to take you across. Are you passing crooked places? Trust that the Just and Faithful One will usher you into straight victories. Are you down in the valley? He is the Ladder that will lead you up, out and into glory.
Whatever your situation is, I bring good news so you can face coming days with fresh faith and courage, “If only you will believe . . . , you will receive.” God speaking through Isaiah said to tell you, “If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established,” Isaiah 79b. You have nothing to lose by simply believing so why doubt and lose? Trusting that you do believe, I am confident that the Beginning and the End will lead you from the beginning to the end of your journey and deliver you whole and blameless on that day, amen.
God’s very best,
Glory!