Day 39 - 40 Days of HOPE

Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of HOPE
Day  39 | HOPE DURING THE STORM
HOPE DURING THE STORM

Psalm 46:1-3, 7,10
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.
10 Be still, and know that I am God”
(NKJV)

Are you in the midst of a storm?  Do you hear the ROAR of the waters and feel the mountains around you shake? Are you scared? Fearful? Doubting?

Other than real-life “storm chasers,” not many people go looking for storms in their lives.  But they come to everyone.  When they arrive, people whine and complain and pray to God to take it away.

But James, Jesus’ brother, tells us: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2)

Huh?  Really?  (Then James continues):
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”  (James 1:3-4)

The Psalmist knew that secret too, AND that life troubles come to all.

My question is: How do YOU deal with the storms in your life? Do you curse the darkness and the problem and secretly blame God for not fixing it the first time you prayed?

Maybe He’s trying to GROW you.  Maybe He’s getting you to see that HE is your refuge.  And it all starts with doing verse 10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”

Prayer: LORD, you know I love you, but help me turn to you first when I have a problem. And to WAIT on You.  To spend time with YOU, my refuge, my fortress.  No matter how strong the storm, you’re stronger, so I will TRUST and HOPE and not FEAR.  Amen.