Spiritual Storms

photography by Katrin Blumenschein

When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.  Isaiah 59:19b (KJV)

It's been extremely hot here on the east coast of Virginia for the past several days.  The heat has been just oppressive!  Whew....I wondered when the rain would come to cool things off?  Well, today, I'm looking outside and see the clouds rolling in. . .and based on how my knees are hurting (they seem to predict the weather sometimes LOL) I think we'll be getting a substantial amount of rain later.   Hopefully cooler weather will be ushered in as well.

As the clouds are looming, and the H/H (heat and humidity) are stifling, I couldn't help but think about the past several months and the spiritual storms that the Lord allowed me to go through, like the fiery furnace of affliction.  Mark 6:45 says, "And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side..."   From reading the passage, we know what was awaiting them--a fierce storm.   He constrained them to get in and go on ahead without Him, so He could go up to the mountaintop and pray.  

The Greek word for constrained is anagké, which means to compel, to force.   Sometimes we feel as if the Lord is FORCING us to "go on ahead," maybe even without Him.  Then we find ourselves in the midst of a storm, feeling ALONE.  Oh the fear and wonder as to WHY He would have ever called us to "do this??"  "Where IS He?"   May it bring us comfort to know He is our Advocate. . .He is praying on our behalf...and really, He has never left us, not even for one second!   He is just about ready to reveal Himself in a powerful way---just like He did with the disciples---He walked on water!  "Be of good cheer!  It is I!  Be not afraid!"   

So, as I am feeling forced hopping into "this boat" and heading "out on the sea of college," I need to remember, when the winds are howling and I'm "toiling in rowing," to LOOK OUT and see the Master of the Wind walking on the water!  He's calling out to me (and YOU) to take courage and be not afraid!  It IS HIM!  He has never left us. . and when it seemed He WAS away, He was simply interceding on our behalf to our Heavenly Father--waiting to perform a miracle for the glory our Heavenly Father!   May He always receive GLORY in every storm that rages!

                                                        Spiritual Storms

                                                   by my grandmother Belle Sandefur

When the enemy comes in like a flood to destroy your spiritual home

Look up!  Remember that God above still reigns upon His throne.

He rules the tide, He knows how high the waves and billows roll;

And His Spirit lifts the standard high to protect the trusting soul.

So trust Him when the storms are raging.  Cast on Him your anxiety and care;

And don't forget, He's your Heavenly Father, and He hears your smallest prayer.

"Come closer, my child, come closer," can't you hear Him gently say?
"I love you enough to draw you near--near to My heart today...

And each thing that happens--though it be from the enemy's hand-

I promise it'll work out for your good, though you now cannot  understand."

When the storm has passed, and the skies are clear,

you'll look back~ probably shed a tear-

As you see the beautiful bright design Your Heavenly Father saw all the time,

As He allowed the storms to come to prepare you better for your heavenly home.