Weather the Storms of Life

God with you - A Series from the Psalms

Psalm 46 

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2046&version=NIV;NLT

 

The saying, “weather the storm” can refer to the actual weather outside, but often it is used to refer to real life struggles. Struggles like having a still born baby; the unexpected loss of a job; your fiancé breaking up with you; the death of a loved one; dealing with an addiction.

 

The possibilities of storms in your life are endless. So how do you deal with them? What do you place your confidence in when storms come into your life? Because one thing is for sure; they will come.

 

Some people put their confidence in a relationship. Some prefer to face things on their own, trusting in their own ability to manipulate, intimidate or problem solve. Some trust in their material things; their bank account or portfolio; the car they drive or the neighborhood they live in.

 

David had this to say about how to weather the storms of life when you feel like your world is falling apart.

 

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.
² So we will not fear when earthquakes come
    and the mountains crumble into the sea.
³ Let the oceans roar and foam.
    Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! NLT

 

Maybe your life isn’t falling apart, but the stress and struggle of daily living can begin to feel like that. Regardless of whether you are facing a crisis event or daily struggles, David suggests an answer that will help.

 

⁷ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress.

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God! NLT

 

Spending time in the presence of the Lord sounds so easy and makes so much sense. And yet, it’s so hard to do in our modern world of business. However, in order to weather the storms of life, no matter how acute they are, we must spend quiet time, alone with the Lord.

 

¹¹ The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
    the God of Israel is our fortress. NLT

 

There’s No Place Like Home

Who is the Lord? - A Series from the Psalms

Psalm 23 - My Shepherd

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=NIV;NLT

 

In the 1939 classic movie, “The Wizard of Oz”, Dorothy goes on an adventure that takes her far, far away from her home in Kansas to the Land of Oz. While there, she learns that her heart’s desire is to be home in Kansas with the people she loves.

 

By clicking her heals together three times and saying, “There’s no place like home”, the magical shoes miraculously transport her to Kansas; to her home; and to Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.

 

The job of a shepherd is to provide, protect and be ever-present for the security and safekeeping of his sheep. David was a shepherd and knew firsthand what this meant. He knew how to use a slingshot to fight off an enemy; he knew how to find a stream or a meadow to feed his sheep; he knew how to guide them along safe paths.

 

⁴ Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.

 

Jesus knew what it meant to be a shepherd too. In fact, Jesus told his followers, “I am the good shepherd”. As David wrote in Psalm 23, Jesus provides, protects and is constantly present with his sheep. He also pursues his sheep with his unfailing love.

 

⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord.

 

Like Dorothy, the desire of our heart is to go home at the end of each day where we receive nourishment; where we are safe from the dog eat dog world outside; where we are surrounded by the people we love and those who love us.

 

But our true home is when we are “in the house of the Lord”; in the presence of the Living God.




When that happens, it doesn’t require clicking your heals together and saying, “There’s no place like home”. And, you won’t be in Kansas.

 

Security Blanket

1 John 5:18-20

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%205%3A18-20&version=NIV;NLT

 

 

In the comic strip Peanuts, the character of Linus is always shown carrying his security blanket and sucking his thumb. If a cartoon strip character could have feelings, Linus would have felt protected. We all have insecurities and turn to different things to deal with them; to feel protected.

 

Many people turn to their spouse or significant other. Children naturally look to their parents. Students to their teachers. Addicts to their drug. The haves to their possessions. Many put up an emotional wall to protect themselves from being hurt. Anger, intimidation, abuse – all can be tools of protection.

 

Here’s what John wrote about being protected; about feeling secure.

 

¹⁸ We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. ¹⁹ We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.          NLT

 

We live in a world “under the control of the evil one”. There are dangers everywhere. Yet, as a child of God, we can rest in the assurance, in the security, that our Heavenly Father will protect us.

 

In verses 18-20, there are three “we know” statements in the New Living Translation. The first two are in the above quote. Here’s the third.

 

²⁰ And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.            NLT

 

When you combine these three “we know” statements, here’s what you get: Because we know that God’s Son holds his children securely; because we know that we are God’s child; therefore, we know the true God and live in fellowship with Him.

 

That’s enough knowledge for even Linus to give up his security blanket.