Thursday, September 9

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-2

Take some time today to identify the pain, trouble or stress that burdens your heart. Then offer all of these to God in confession – thanking him for being your constant refuge in times of trouble.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27


It took me a number of years to notice – but there is only one constant in the illustration Jesus uses to close the Sermon on the Mount. The constant is, of course, the storm. While Jesus is using the illustration of a well-constructed house to teach us the importance of building our lives on the truth and values of the Kingdom of God, he is also teaching us something about the storm! Simply put, Jesus is teaching that the storm is both inevitable and indiscriminate. He is NOT teaching us that if we follow him and put our faith in him, that we will avoid the storms of life!

Sometimes we assume that because we have put our faith in Jesus – and because we follow him and pray to him – that he will protect us FROM the storm. While certainly he can and sometime does shield us from pain and calamity, we must understand that his promise here is to protect us IN the storm. For the question is not IF the storm will come – but rather, WHEN the storm comes will you be prepared?

This is actually the same question that the Apostle Peter dealt with in a slightly different way when he wanted to encourage the early followers of Jesus who were experiencing persecution for the first time.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:12-13

Sometimes we bring the storm on ourselves – through selfish, foolish or sinful decision or behavior. When we do – the Holy Spirit will lead us through a process of confession, forgiveness and repentance. Sometimes the storm is brought on by the decisions or behavior of others – a boss, a co-worker, or a family member. When this happens, we can choose to confront the issue with both truth and love and seek resolution and reconciliation. If our efforts are rejected – we can simply forgive in the strength of Christ himself.

But sometimes the storm seems to just come out of nowhere – for no apparent reason. Illness or disease or an accident leaves our lives shaken to the very foundation – and we wonder if we can survive. Jesus is teaching us that storms do come, but that he is greater than the storms. Yes, our lives can be shaken to their very foundation – but if that foundation is anchored in his truth and promise – we will not be destroyed!

Thank God for the strength and hope that you have in Christ.

Brian Coffey