Praising In The Storm

Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

If you are visiting me today from the Proverbs 31 devotion, Cartwheels in Heaven, welcome! I hope you will come back and visit throughout this week as we continue this discussion of finding hope in Christ, and encourage each other with our own personal stories and comments about this mystery called hope.

If you are like me, and as I mentioned in todays devotion, there are probably situations in your life that seem hopeless. Whether what you are hoping for is small or huge, the feeling of hopelessness can be very disheartening, discouraging, and frustrating.

As I studied the Bible recently on the subject of hope, I came across John 14:18, which says "No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you." His words were few in this verse, but the impact was profound.

In these few words, Jesus reminds us that regardless of how difficult the storms seem to be in our life, and regardless of how alone we may feel, that God has not abandoned us, and promises that He never will.

During great storms in our life, when the waves seem to be crashing in from every direction and the pull of the current is so strong that we are afraid we will drown, it is so important to remember some of the most basic promises that God provides. Through His Word we are reassured of those basic promises over and over - that He hears our prayers; He is always near; He also hears our cries, and He catches every tear that falls.

Another verse that helps restore peace and hope in my heart is, Isaiah 41:13 which says, "For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God.And I say to you,‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.'" Again, another reassurance that even though we feel alone and forgotten, God has not abandoned us, and He never will. God is there to hold our hand, even when nobody else is.

Where else could we receive such amazing comfort and reassurance, than God?

Where else could we find someone who would catch every tear, besides God?

Where else could we find someone who will be there for us 24/7, at our beckoning call, to hold our hand and walk us through every storm, besides God?

Who else can know with the utmost confidence will never abandon us, but God? Who else can really hold us up when we are too weak to carry on ourselves? Nobody, but God.

But even knowing these truths, and believing them with my full heart, sometimes I still struggle to keep hope, and maybe you do too.

I believe that the key to maintaining hope is to not focus on the situation with my human mind, but with my spiritual heart, and to seek out solace in Gods Word.

When I feel my hope dwindling about a storm in my life, there are many verses that bring comfort, but one in particular always helps me keep my head above water, and that is Romans 8:28, which says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

You see, not only have I read countless passages in the Bible where this truth is portrayed, but I have also seen this verse proven true in situations in my own life. I have seen God take broken pieces of my life, and turn them into a beautiful novel that only He could have written.

So when the outlook seems dismal about a particular situation, I try to remember those miracles that God has already done. As I focus on the reality of His truth of how He used a storm in my life to His glory in the past, it helps me to hold tight to the promise that God can use current difficult situations to His glory as well.

Romans 8:28 always reminds me that no matter how powerful the storm is, my God is bigger, and most importantly, that He always has a plan.

It reminds me that God is still in control, even when things seem out of control, and that He has a purpose and a reason for everything. It reminds me that even though I may not understand why something is happening, why God is allowing it, or what glory could ever be derived from it, that His Word is 100% true.

Our faith can be the strongest, when we feel the weakest, if we hold on to Romans 8:28 as our life-raft during the storm.

If you are facing something hopeless today, my encouragement to you is to keep praying; keep believing in Gods sovereignty; keep seeking the purpose in His plan; and keep meditating on Romans 8:28. As you focus on Gods activity during the storm, instead of the storm itself, your hope will rise, and eventually, in Gods timing, peace will come.

Sometimes I have to smile at how God gets my attention. It seems that every time I am driving in my car with a heavy heart and the threat of tears pressing against my eyelids, the song from Casting Crowns called I Will Praise You In This Storm, begins to play on the radio. I think it is Gods sweet and gentle way of reminding me to continue praying, continue trusting Him, and continue hoping. I am reminded that my help can only come from Him.

Every time that I hear this song, I seize the moment and tell God once again, that no matter what happens, I will still love Him.

Will you?