God in the Storm

While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community,
they looked toward the desert,
and there was the glory of the LORD
appearing in the cloud.
[Ex 16:10]

Who looks forward to a desert? But there was the glory of the Lord. In the midst of the cloud, no less! He is in our dark clouds. Often it is precisely there that we can see His glory most clearly. For in the very center of life's storms we tend to shift our focus unto Him.

That day when evening came,

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat,

so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern,

sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him,

"Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,

"Quiet! Be still!"

Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

[Mk 4:35, 37-39]

The storm that arose, terrifying Jesus' disciples, came when He was right there with them. In the middle of that stormy sea they saw His glory. Witness to His power and sovereignty added to their faith.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul,
the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road
as you were coming here—has sent me so that
you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
[Ac 9:8-9, 15-17]

In the darkness of Saul's blindness, God was working through Ananias for his healing. When he was lost, confused, and unable to see, God had a plan for his transformation. This perceived tragedy the beginning of a phenomenal life in Christ. Clarity oftentimes comes after-the-fact (if ever).

Early on the first day of the week,

while it was still dark,

Mary Magdalene went to the tomb

and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

[Jn 20:1]

"While it was still dark", Mary faithfully went to anoint her Savior. In her mourning, she arose early to dutifully tend to the difficult task at hand. She witnessed the brilliance of Jesus' glory in a state of loss and confusion.

At midnight the cry rang out:

'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

[Mt 25:5]

It could very well be in the middle of the darkest night, when our Bridegroom returns. Until that glorious day, He is a thought away -- a prayer's breath away -- for you to go meet Him right where you are.

where morning dawns and evening fades

you call forth songs of joy.

[Ps 65:8]

He brings calm in both the day and the night. Stay with God in the storm, waiting patiently in prayer; safe in His arms. Remain in His Word and He will speak peace to calm the storm raging within. Sing His praise til the night fades.

There's an encouraging phrase; "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain" (source unknown). God teaches us to dance and provides for our joy from the unspeakable hope we have in Him. A sweet walk with Him lightens the lift of your feet trudging forward -- toward the Dawn.

Sovereign Lord; Hidden here in the cleft of the Rock, You are my hope, my strength, and my song.

Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea;
and the LORD
swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night
and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.
[Ex 14:21 NASB]

Edited Post from the Archives