by Michelle Welch
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.”
Psalm 34:17-20
Yesterday, when the sun was shining and the lure of planting new spring flowers was pulling me to the garden center, I loaded up my truck with flats of colorful blooms. Excitedly, I laid out my plans on paper, envisioning the neighbors delight at the beauty of the landscaped yard in our little corner of the world. I even decided to venture into patio gardening again despite my past history of growing $50 tomatoes and $26 blueberries.
New gloves were purchased along with fresh garden soil, a raised garden kit, and packets of radish, lettuce, and carrot seeds. Pots of our favorite herbs as well as sturdy tomato plants were carefully chosen. We even included jalapeño plants for sweetheart. We went to bed excited about our plans for the next day where we would bring order to the chaos that is our yard.
And then it rained. And rained. And rained some more.
As the drops of water beat against the windows, I felt the desire to do anything draining away. I felt discouraged. Like everything I had done yesterday was such a waste. My pity party was something to behold as I raged against the unfairness of something I could not control—the weather. The joy I had felt in those moments of the day before was overshadowed by the clouds of today’s storms. I would never get my garden planted at this rate.
Is that not how we go through our days sometimes? Full of plans to plant or build or make or do any number of tasks, we find ourselves waking up to a storm we never saw coming. Suddenly, the clouds block out the sunshine in such a way that we feel like the light will never come again. The winds of change howl around us, leaving us fearful and discouraged.
Then, in a moment of clarity we remember the words of our Father in Heaven to His people “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV
In the midst of the storm we must have faith in His purpose. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor 4:18 NIV
In the midst of the storm we must believe He is right beside us. “God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5c NIV
In the midst of the storm we must trust Him. “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7 NIV
Tomorrow the sun will come out. Or not. Either way God has it all under control. He will bring us safely through the storm.
Dearest Father God, thank You for Your Word that sinks deep into my heart. Thank You for reminding me that everything has been planned out long before I came along. Thank You for being a refuge from the storms of life. You alone control the winds and waves, the sunlight and the clouds. Let all my trust be placed in You. In Christ I pray, Amen
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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
