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This Week’s Devotional Topic
TILL THE STORM PASSES BY
It has been said that “into every life a little rain must fall”. True statement, bad weather WILL come AND God will provide strength, safety and His peace until the storm passes by! Here are some symptoms that you may find present during a storm and I don’t mean dark clouds, high winds and heavy rain. I’m talking about life events and issues. Discouragement, doubt, stress and fear and even sleepless nights may be indications you experience. And something you can count on is that each passing “storm” is designed to increase our faith.
James 1:2-12 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him…Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
God has promised to provide all our needs. Here is a short list of ‘helps’ that He has given us in scripture.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
David experienced many storms. Listen to his testimony as a song of deliverance found in…
II Samuel 22:10-20 He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet…He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters… He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
Many of our “Storms” in this life are actually Spiritual battles. God gives us strength for our battles.
II Samuel 22:40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
Listen to examples from the “Hall of Faith” listed in…
Hebrews 11:32-34 And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
God provides us with ‘wisdom’ when we go through the storms of life. Listen to the voice of ‘wisdom’ from…
Proverbs 1:20,21,25-27
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate…Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise…I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention…You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered…So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you…But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.
One of the best lists of helps during storms is the whole armor of God, found in…
Ephesians 6:10-18a Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Psalms 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Psalms 57:1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.
As you are surrounded by “issues” turn your focus on God. Learn from the experience of Peter. From Matthew 14:30: He walked on water until he turned his attention to the storm, taking his eyes off of Christ.
This week’s Scripture:
James 1:2-12; Proverbs 18:10; II Samuel 22:10-20,40; Hebrews 11:32-34; Ephesians 6:10-18; Proverbs 1:20,21,25-27 and Psalms 46:1-3; 57:1
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