3-13-2015

Good Morning All,

         Proverbs 10:25; “When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.”

     We are approaching the time of the year here in the Great Plains when the storms will switch from blizzards to thunderstorms; some of which can produce tornadoes.  These are often more violent storms, short in duration often only a few seconds, but tremendously destructive.  It can be one of the fiercest forces of nature away from the ocean.  Homes, farms, even entire cities have been completely destroyed by these twists of nature.  If viewed from a distance, they are awe inspiring but if viewed up close they are terrifying.  They are unpredictable to the exact.  The best we can do is to predict where the likelihood is greatest.  It is when you are in the target zone that you sit up and take notice.  As one area farmer said, “When you see the CNN storm chaser truck sitting at the end of driveway; you take notice.”

    Most people on the Great Plains have some type of shelter for when the storms hit.  It might be the basement of the home.  The warning is to hide under a set of steps or in an interior closet preferably reinforced.  Some folks have a storm cellar which is a reinforced basement-like structure usually made out of concrete.  We watch the weather and when in doubt, we choose safety.

    Our verse is a lot like that.  Notice it says when the storm hits and not if the storm hits.  We know there will be pain and trouble in this world.  It is still a broken and sin-filled creation.  It still suffers the effects of the sin which man introduced.  So there is no such thing as a storm free life; there will be times of trouble and heartache.  We will experience times of loss, sickness, divorce, unemployment, loneliness, depression, hopelessness and fear.  We know the storms will come, so how do we prepare?

    First we need to know who our true storm shelter is; it is Jesus.  He alone can provide for our weathering the frightful.  We read it over and over again in Scriptures; “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe (Proverbs 18:10)” or “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear (Psalm 46:1-2a).”  There are many more references to our life being a storm and God being our protector and all point to the same truth; only in God do we have hope.  Those who place their trust in anything else will be disappointed.

    There will be storms and yet our storm cellar is always ready.  Jesus is ready to shelter you in the storms of this life.  Trust in his mercy to bring you through the storm and to see the rainbow of his promise.

Father of all mercy, you protect us in the storms of life.  In you we have our only hope.  Keep us safe in your arms.  Be with those who are in a storm t this time.  Lead them to know that you are their true shelter.  Give them hope and give them peace.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret