~ Xochitl Dixon- In the spring of 2021, several storm-chasers recorded videos and took photos of a rainbow next to a tornado in Texas. In one video, long starks of wheat in a field bent under the power of the whirling winds.
A brilliant rainbow cut across the gray skyline and arched towawrd the twister. Bystanders in another vido stood on the side of the road and watched the symbol of hope standing firm beside the twisting funnel-shaped cloud. (Google image, Storm chasers of Texas rainbow and tornado in 2021)
In Psalm 107, the psalmist offers hope and encourages us to turn to God during difficult times. He describes some who were in the middle of a storm, 'at their wits' end (v. 27). Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress' (v. 28). God understand His children will sometimes struggle to feel hopeful when life feels like a storm. We need reminders of His faithfulness, expecially when the horizon looks dark and tumultuous.
Whether our storms come as substantial obstacles in our lives, as emotional turmoil, or as mental stress, God can still our sotrms 'to a whisper' and guide us to a place of refuge (vv. 29-30).
Though we may not experience relief in our preferred way or time, we can trust to keep the promises He's given in Scripture. His enduring hope will cut through any storm.
Father, Psalm 107 is a song of thanksgiving (vv.1, 31) celebrating You as the loving and merciful Deliverer, Savior, Protector, and Provider of people in crisis (see vv. 2, 41). As we look at the above photo, we can see the visable evidence that You are demonstrating Your awareness of the tornado.
We know that You understand that we will sometimes struggle to feel hope when life feels like a storm. We need reminders of Your faithfulness, especially when our horizon looks dark and tumulltuous.
We may not experience relief in our preferred way or time, but we can trust You to keep the promises You've given in Scriptures, so that hope will cut through any storm, whether emotional , mental stress or physical.
We speak faith in our storms through the name of Jesus! Amen
791-795 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
791- Ps. 20:1 "The LORD hear theae in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."
792- Ps. 31:9 "Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly."
793- 2 Cor. 9:6 "But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully."
794- Ps. 75:9 "But I will decair for ever; I will sing prise to the God of Jacob."
795- Job 19:23 "Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book!"
Quotes for today-
-Jonathan Benis- "The fact that God can redeem our suffering doesn’t mean that God expects us to enjoy it, either. What it does mean is that we can trust that our suffering has meaning. I firmly believe that when we endure suffering, we build character that we could not find elsewhere. We can’t know what it means to call out to God in desperation if we are never desperate. Suffering reminds us that we aren’t in charge. It reminds us to rely on Him."
Dr. Wesley Duewel- "The Gospel is the good and true account of the defeat of death, the overthrow of evil through the self-sacrifice of the only sinless and blameless person who ever lived, the God-man, Christ Jesus." (p. 138 in All for Jesus, A Celebration of the life and Ministry of De. Wesley L. Duewel)
Words of wisdom- Here’s a truth you can hang onto. Big assignments begin with a thousand yesses. Invest your one talent you have, and watch God entrust you with more!
Upcoming posts:
10/8- Who Am I?
Sharon Jaynes
15th- God Is Near
Jessica VanRocked
22nd- 5 Reasons to Read Revelations
Lynette Kittle
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts) Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
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