So often when we are facing storms we tend to allow fear and worry to enter our minds. We look at our bank account and the ever increasing debts, wondering how long until total financial ruin overtakes us. We gaze into the eyes of a loved one dying an agonizing death and wonder why? A Police Officer goes out to face another night of duty on a salary that cannot feed his family only to this time face being shot and killed by the same criminal he had arrested 5 times and the justice system had released all 5 times before, and we cry out why? The people we most trusted take a knife of accusations driving the pain deep within our hearts. We turn on the news and see violence, war, collapsing markets, pain, suffering and chaos with fear entering our hearts and we wonder if all that we have is hopelessness blended with despair. In the darkness of the night we cry out for help and there a soft voice may whisper a command for the storm to cease, while a comforting blanket of peace covers our soul allowing hope to rise once more. We, who know that we are the redeemed because of the finished work of Christ, can rest assured that if we call His name; He is there to save us. Look at these verses from the Psalms of David:
Psalm 34:
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
Psalm 145: 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
You may say, I have cried to Him and the storm is still raging around me, now what? Yes, dear friend, sometimes it appears so; but I have learned through many violent storms that God was right there in the midst protecting, guiding, and comforting me with every inch of the way. I would never lie to you and try to say that fear never enters my heart. I would never say that sorrows, frustrations, angers, and pangs of bitterness resulting from false accusations do not press down upon me at times. Yet, I will say; they have no place remaining in my heart or my mind. I have learned that when they appear to be taking hold of me, I need to perform these three simple acts.
1. Speak His Name. For there is power in the name of Yahweh, My LORD–the Great I am.
2. I Must Remember who My Father is. He is Jehovah Jireh (My Provider), Jehovah Nissi (My banner of Victory), Jehovah Rapha (My healer), Jehovah Rohi (My shepherd), Jehovah Shalom (My Peace), Jehovah Tsidkenu (Provider of My Righteousness), Jehovah Shammah (Present with Me), Jehovah Mekoddishkem (My Sanctifier), El Olam (Everlasting God), El Shaddai (Almighty God)—The Omnipotent, Omniscient, the Great I am who desires the best for me and lavishes upon me His love, His joy found only IN HIM.
3. Praise God for who He is because even when you cannot see or understand His plan, you can assuredly trust His heart.
Remember these steps every time fear tries to grip your heart, sorrow brings you to tears, or betrayal tries to plant a seed of bitterness and you will see how God turns your pain into joy while the watching world become amazed as they receive a glimpse of the Glory of God through the shining face of joy, hope displayed in the midst of great tragedy. Perhaps your trials will lead someone to Christ and is there any pain too great to bare for the salvation of one soul? This entire lifetime is but a second compared to eternity. Keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus, the author and the finisher of your faith.
Psalm 16: 7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StjU16a5BFY (Preview)