Tuesday, September 7

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2

Begin your time with the Lord today by thanking him for knowing you, loving you, and “hearing your cry” when you called to him for forgiveness and salvation. Thank him for rescuing you from sin and giving you a firm place to stand in your faith!

“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.” Matthew 7:24-27

My boys and I love summer storms. More accurately, we love to watch summer storms blow in from the safety and comfort of our home! We will watch from either our back deck or front porch as the storm approaches – marveling at the rolling dark clouds and flashes of lightning. But when the storm gets a little too close – we simply step inside and listen to the thunder from the comfort and safety of our family room! We do this, of course, because we trust the structural strength and stability of our home without even thinking about it. The storm can pass right over head and the rain and wind can beat against the roof and windows – but we stay dry as a bone – because our house is well built.

Jesus is teaching us that the truth and promise of the Kingdom of God, when properly understood, is that which protects us in the storms of this life. The Kingdom of God is our place of safety because it anchors our lives in eternity “where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6). As followers of Jesus, and citizens of the Kingdom of God, we live in a real world with real concerns and real storms. But we also understand and believe that our eternal destiny is in heaven. Therefore, when the storms of life come our way, we know that while storms can bring pain and loss – our ultimate destiny remains secure – and in this truth we find peace and rest.

Take a few moments to thank God for the promise of eternal life and ask him to allow you to know his peace and rest – even during the storms of your life.

Brian Coffey