When
the rain comes ...
So are
you ready for the storm? Hum—am I ready for the storm?
Those of us in parts of Eastern United States are
listening to the rain fall and wondering just how bad it’s going to get. After
about a week of rain already, the forecast calls for downpours today and
tomorrow, using words like “dangerous winds and historic flooding.” Hurricane
Joaquin is threatening much of the East coast. (It has already begun, in fact.)
Side
note – according to Wikipedia, the origin
of the name Joaquin is Hebrew,
meaning “lifted by Yahweh.” Yahweh is a Hebrew word for God. I’m not trying to read anything into this
fact, but do think it is interesting.
 |
| Yesterday, near my friend's home |
SO—it’s been raining; it’s raining now; and it looks like
more is going to fall onto our saturated ground for two or three more days. The
whole scenario could be extremely problematic, especially for people living in
low lying areas.
WOW! Does this not sound like LIFE! God’s Word says, for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain
on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:45).
David Wilkerson wisely
wrote, “I would be lying if I told you that Christians will
observe sorrow, trouble, unemployment and depression on all sides while they
themselves remain safe within a cozy cocoon of health and wealth. The Bible
says God causes the rain to fall on both the just and the unjust (Matthew
5:45). Job was holy—yet he suffered! But just as God brought Job out of his
affliction, so He will bring us out even though we, too, will go through the
fire.” *
This
morning one of my Carolina Facebook friends posted:
Generator working✔. Chainsaw working✔. Gutters cleaned out✔.
Tub filled with water in case power goes out leaving us with no water✔. Clean water in pots for kitchen use✔. We're ready for the storm but pray it doesn't develop as predicted.
Tub filled with water in case power goes out leaving us with no water✔. Clean water in pots for kitchen use✔. We're ready for the storm but pray it doesn't develop as predicted.
Spiritually
speaking, are we ready? Are we ready for the wind and rain that will come in
varying forms to disrupt smooth sailing in life? What trials are flooding your life at this
moment?
Whether
it be weather related storms or life storms, it pays to be ready. Like my Facebook
Friend, we need to be ready.
We
need a working generator. If we’re
not connected to God, our power source of life and strength, we’ll likely crumble
when darkness encircles us. (John 15:5)
We
need a working chainsaw. When heavy
limbs fall across our path we need the power of the Holy Spirit to clear the
way as only He can. (Romans 8:11)
We
best have the gutters cleaned out to
make way for the unobstructed flow of hurt and offence so we can shed harmful debris
and keep our sights set on our Maker, who is the Author and Finisher of our
faith. (Col. 3:2)
We
need a store of water to refresh our
bodies. (Ezekiel 36:25)
We
need fresh pure water to refresh our
spirits. Only God can do this. Let’s wash ourselves from the inside out with
the Word of God. (Ephesians 5:26) (Psalm
42:1)
Let’s
pray! Actually, let’s do this first. Prayer is our sacred assignment. In all things
we are to pray. Let’s not wait until trials rush in like a flood. Rejoice
always, pray without ceasing, in everything give
thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“In the midst of your
trial, some of you already have adopted the despairing language of Job. Your
heart cries out, ‘God, what did I do wrong? I don't understand why this
calamity has fallen on me when I loved You most, my walk was holy, my heart
pure, and my spirit was longing after You. It seems like the closer I draw to
You, the deeper I fall into trouble and the more sorrows come.’ We do not
realize how important it is to God that we trust Him through all the floods of
trouble that come upon us from hell. You see, the devil cannot touch you or
test you unless God first lets down the wall and allows it.” *David Wilkerson
Above,
I mentioned that people living in low lying areas are subject to exceptional
trials during heavy rains. Let’s look at that in terms of life—Are you living
in a low level of life? –Perhaps in deep sin or you’re simply not in sync with
God? If so, you’re subjecting yourself to exceptional difficulties. Let the
Lord, your Creator, lift you to a higher plane. He wants to; He’s not mad at
you; and He loves you with unfailing love.
As you finish reading this post let’s look up and be lifted up
out of the floods that seem to be closing in. Just as the deer is refreshed by
a cool drink of water let’s be refreshed by God’s Word and His promises to
those who love and serve Him. Please watch, listen, and be lifted -- youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa6kplL3wjk
©Connie Wohlford 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment