IN THE TEMPEST

“Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds His chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind...” Psalm 104:3  

As we in Virginia hold our collective breath and sit waiting with the rest of the eastern seaboard for this latest hurricane, I came across this quote by Willa Cather who said “There are some things you learn best in calm and some in storm.”

And I wondered what lessons lie before us not only with this particular hurricane but also in the wide-ranging storms of this life.  Hurricane Sandy has been much anticipated, so many wisely took the Boy Scouts motto of “Be Prepared” to heart and have everything they need at their fingertips. But sometimes “life happens” through unrelenting squalls that come in entirely unannounced and take our hearts by storm. But whether they are much expected or catch us completely off-guard, I believe that there are at least three lessons that we can learn from this expected gale and the ones that sneak up behind us.

1. Everyone experiences the storm.  Sometimes the most difficult part of a storm is the feeling that we are weathering the brunt of it by ourselves and that we alone are suffering the raging winds and the assaulting rains.  But the truth is many are experiencing the ill effects of this hurricane and additionally on the whole; no one gets a pass for a storm-free life, because everyone includes...well, everyone.  Jesus explicitly declared in John 16:33 that “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” NLT He doesn’t say that we might, He didn’t hint that we may possibly; He declares unequivocally “you will have many trials and sorrows”...no one escapes it! Thankfully though, Jesus didn’t just leave us with that thought; He goes on to say “But be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” So although we each can be confident that we will all face our share of storms, in Him there is ultimate victory!

Note: This is also a WONDERFUL opportunity to reach out and support those who are being devastated by this storm AND those who have been ravaged by the storms of this life. It is in reaching out our hand of love and friendship that we are most clearly the children of our Father. The Body of Christ actively caring for those in the midst of storms (be they natural, emotional, financial or spiritual) is one of the clearest and most compelling arguments for our reason for being>>>to LOVE others into the kingdom of God!

2. You are not alone in the storm. The tempests come and fear can grip our hearts because the storm is volatile and unpredictable. The enemy of our souls may whisper to our  anxious hearts that we are staggering alone beneath the wind and waves of any particular storm and the feelings of isolation can drive us to despair.  But we can take heart for the One who gave us existence is also the One who promised to never leave us, that instead, whenever we need Him He assures us that He will come! In John 14:18 Jesus assures us “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” and Paul relates “...God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 In fact in the original language He uses a triple negative to emphasize the point. In essence He says “I will not, I will not, I will not leave you”.

Now that’s not to say that all will be  “peaches and roses” for our entire life because we talked about that in lesson one; but it does mean that whatever storms come our way and whatever ill effects do befall us...never, never, never are we left to face them alone. He WILL come to us!

Think about dear ones...what kind of father ignores the frightened pleas of his dear children? Even a decent earthly father will take pity on his children when they cry out in fear and our heavenly Father is the best Papa; so our cries will always reach His listening ears and they will never fail to touch His loving heart. No, He will not leave us, ever.  

3. There is a place of calm in every storm. No matter the strength or size of a hurricane, there is always an area where the storm is not raging and the winds lie dormant. It is a position where the tempest has ceased and is untouched by the power and devastation of the storm. In the eye of the storm there is a space of quiet where all that abide there remain unscathed. And Papa promises that no matter the volume of the storm, no matter its magnitude; we can always hide under the shadow of His massive wings while the storm rages all around us. There is a place where we may abide in sustenance and safety and we will find that as the winds whirl around us, as the relentless rains pelt us unmercifully, that that place, that that blessed location is in His pervasive and holy presence.

Oh that we would praise Him for there is no storm so dark that the Light of the World cannot bring a dawn! Oh that we would worship Him for there is no gale so potent that the Omnipotent One cannot silence it! Oh that we would choose to trust the heart of the One who loves us best >>>because there is no tempest so prevailing that the Creator of both the winds and the waves cannot calm them...and us. Come oh Lord for in Psalm 104:3 Your Word proclaims You as the storm walker and in You we find shelter now and forever!  
“Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds His chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind...” Psalm 104:3  

Papa,
Come and hold us, remind us that we are not alone in this hurricane nor in the storms that this life will bring. Help us to rely on You, to trust in Your strong and yet tender care for us. Help us to hear You calling us to come swiftly that we might dwell under the shadow of Your expansive wings. Help us to find that place of calm and safety and to abide there knowing that in Your presence we are loved and cared for. Help us to trust You dear Papa no matter what lies ahead; for in You we are safe and secure...today and for all eternity! In Jesus Name, Amen