2 Timothy 1:12 – That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
Sometimes we are inside the house and preoccupied and don’t see the storm that is coming. Even if from inside the house we hear the wind blowing, or perhaps, if it is dark, and we may have been vaguely aware of the flash of light that has lit up the sky but in our house is barely noticeable. The storm has not arrived, but is coming. We may have music playing loudly, or the television loudly blaring in our well insulated houses so we don’t hear the thunder, at least not in any way that grabs our attention. Then, what seems to be suddenly but really was not, the storm is upon us. The wind is strong and blowing everything outside around and blowing some things away that will never be found again. Lightning strikes are close and the thunder shakes the house. The storm seems be stopped and mere feet above our house. A real threat has arrived. The water outside is rising and the car has been turned on its side. Danger surrounds. What do we do? What then?
When the storms of life seem most threatening what, or whom will save us? Family, we must be prepared for the storms. Of course for those who have not, it is always a good time to make a decision to love and serve Jesus. However for those not yet in a storm, the best time to know God personally is before the storm comes. To know the sure goodness of God and infinite depth of His love is a protector against any storm at any time. It is important not to merely acknowledge the goodness and love of God, but to have the essence of who God is not only something one has considered and thought to be true, but to be something that we have put our trust of everything in His hands. Not just saying it but holding back some, but to in increasing measure, as we are able, to give all that we think we know, and all that we love, wholly over to God. Then we the storms of any kind hover over our house we will not fear. We will be sure that God will either save us from the storm, be with us through the storm, or the storm may destroy our bodies to release us to be in God’s presence forever. All of these are acceptable and desirable to us because we are confident we are in the will of an all-knowing God. Because, beyond all other things, we know (know, not think) that God is good all the time and that He loves us, we know that though flesh and belongings may be stricken, our relationship with God and our future with Him are never effected. Nothing separates us from the love of God and so nothing separates from the pristine goodness of God. (Romans 8:38)
Family, storms come and go, people come and go, but God remains and is with us, and loving us, through all. Let us not doubt and sink (Matthew 14:22-33), but hold strong to our sure knowledge of the goodness and love of God and thereby keep the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Let us truly know in whom we have believed. God is good and He loves us…all the time. We need to know that. Praise God!
Let The Wind Blow by the Imperials
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.