After the Storm- Believe!
In His Word 5-20-19
The sun is shining today after a weekend of stormy weather
brings my mind to the beach again. After the storms there is always a ton of
treasures on a beach.
Drift wood, trash that floats in and sometimes disoriented
sea creatures are among the many exciting things that drift up on the shores.
When we take time to walk on a beach and look at the rocks
and the tide pools we look at it as a beautiful thing.
Then we wander back to our blankets, or chairs and sit and
watch the waves slide in and the back out again. It can be a time of relaxing, a
time of refreshing just sitting there on the beach. Sometimes we long to dive
into the waves but are afraid to for fear of the things that await us in the
water. Sometimes that fear can pull at us until we walk away from the beauty
and the fun we could be having in the waves. Sometimes its just the
inconvenient things that get to us; sandy clothes and body, smelly salt water,
and the fact you have to dry off can cause you to falter from the joy of a day
a the beach. Often the beach still calls
to you; it does to me. It says come into the water; allow me to carry you into
coolness and depth! Be brave! Jump in!
We think about the time when Peter took the challenge and
walked on water. He was doing great as long as he kept the faith, he looked
away and plunk! Down he went! Still Jesus lifted him back up, even though his
faith was weak and caused him to sink…He wants to lift us back up to!
Save me, O God! For the waters have come up
to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there
is no standing; I have come into deep waters, where the floods
overflow me. I
am weary with my crying; my throat is dry; my eyes fail while I wait for my
God. Psalm 69:1-3
God’s
Word was given to us that we may see that other people have been through rough
times and they have been greatly blessed for the people trusted God. We too can
trust Him to be with us and help us to find victory over the problems. We can
be pulled up out of the muck and the mire and be strong in His power and His
might, we can trust Him to feed us instead of just wallowing in self pity
waiting for someone to do something to get us fed, we can trust that God will
provide money or food. So what about the harder stuff? What about providing an
actual job to work on that may be so hard we struggle to keep at it? Can that
be God’s plan? Yes! He can provide us with jobs that cause us to draw nearer
just like the waves! Often instead of looking for the rocks or shells that we
would enjoy, we see the dangerous waves and sharks and run away. We need to see
it as it is, and that if God brings a job to us that is tough, we can do two
things, we can ask God to make it work if it’s of Him, or we can quit and hope
that it was not His plan for us. We can’t expect God to just drop manna on the ground
daily for us, eventually He will decide to let us grow.
“These
things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all
things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you,
My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going
away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would
rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the
Father,’ for My Father is greater than I. “And now I have told you before
it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. John
14:25-29
Believe that God is in control, of the waves and the sand...
of your life in His hands. He will take care of you and me if we put our trust
in Him today, and every day. Jobs, treasures, ministries etc will all come out
thriving with the Glory of God when we put our trust in Him to bring it too.
Heavenly Father, help us not to be tossed with every wind
and wave and idea, but help us to look to you the author and the finisher of
our faith, Help us to trust You and not be afraid to walk down the path that
you lead us, In Jesus name, amen.
Suggested Readings: Psalm 69:1-20, John 14:1-31 and John
16:1-33