04/18/2018
How often we view the strife and tumult of daily life as an encumbrance to our abiding in Jesus Christ, in God, but that should not be so. In the vineyard the wind blows, the leaves rustle loud, and the sound of the storm grows intense, but at the root, the vine never moves, and the nourishment continues unabated. Every storm provides rain that is drawn into us as strength from the wet ground, and what appears as a raging flood becomes the watering can of our faith.
“In that day, "A pleasant vineyard, sing of it! I, the Lord, am its keeper; every moment I water it. Lest anyone punish it, I keep it night and day;”
Isaiah 27:2-3 ESV
Do we let our pessimism overcome us, and turn our faces away from the storm? Do we lose sight of God in the midst of the driving rain that beats against our face, or do we persevere? Do we walk into the wind and become stronger for it? For the believer there is nothing in life that isn’t a reminder of God’s provision, power, and protection.
In the midst of the storm, lightning traces its way across the night sky in a blinding flash, and the thunder claps loud to frighten us, but a miracle occurs in that instant... a bolt of lightning creates enough energy to separate nitrogen from the air, and it falls with the rain to form nitrates which fertilize the plants waiting below. Even in the midst of our terror, and the danger that surrounds it, our God protects us and strengthens us; providing food for our soul, which He draws by the lightning of our travail.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 ESV
We may feel weak and alone when hardship comes, but there is benefit in our challenges, and purpose in our pain. In Second Corinthians Paul spoke of a thorn in his side, and the advantage it had of making him humble... making him perfect in his weakness. It does the same for us when we are faced with trouble... that is, if we keep our face into the wind and our eyes on Jesus. We are never alone, and there is never a storm that doesn’t strengthen us and increase our firm hold on faith.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
I have told all who would listen that the times of my greatest growth in faith have always come during my moments of greatest suffering. There is something about the way we grasp the hand of Jesus in the midst of trouble, and when this happens then the miracle of God’s provision is realized... the lightning races across the heavens above us, and we are fed from the dark and churning clouds as the rain falls. Then, when the sun returns, and it does, we find ourselves shooting upwards towards the light.
Are you surrounded by storm clouds right now? Do you feel alone, and that all is lost? Has fear grabbed hold of you, and the lightning of life made you cower? Well, take heart and lift up your face; turn into the storm, grasp the hand of Jesus, and call out to God our Father... He is right there waiting to hear your voice. Are you listening as Elijah did for the whisper in your storm; His soft question calling you? Do you hear it?
“And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"”
1 Kings 19:11-13 ESV
What are you doing here? Are you seeking God, or cowering in the storm?
What are you doing here? Are you holding firm to the hand of Jesus, or are your hands clutching your head in panic?
What are you doing here? Are you taking heart?
God uses every strand of trouble to draw you closer; every breath of wind to strengthen your faith.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the storms that come in my life, and in knowing that you are always with me in their midst. I thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who holds my hand in the face of great tribulation and never lets go. Help me Father to hold His as tightly as He holds mine, and give me the ears to hear your gentle whisper amidst the din of the raging tempest. Keep me ever mindful that you feed me with each flash of lightning, and remind me of your goodness with each booming roll of thunder. Amaze me Holy Father in the strength you provide me, and the growth that comes from each drop of rain that falls. When the sunlight comes again, let me see beyond the problems I once found too tall, and that I counted as insurmountable... let my faith be lifted up, and my roots hold deeper and tighter. Hear my song as I sing of the wind that threatened to blow me away, and of your mercy and greatness that emboldened and rescued me. Hear me chanting of Jesus Christ who held me against the power of the darkness, and the howl of the wind. Feel my arms as I stretch them out in embrace, and know my love for you. Comforting are you in the midst of all fear, sure are you in my weakest hour, and Strong is your promise that sees me through my darkest moments. Holy, Holy, Holy are you my God who never fails me, even in the mightiest hurricane, even in the most violent tornado... for you are my strong tower against all suffering in my life.
Rich Forbes