[Note for today’s message: There is little doubt we are still in the midst of a storm. But there is also little doubt this storm will soon begin to subside. Please read this message and then remember, whether it be days or weeks, as the storm begins to fade.]
In the last two messages we have considered how God often uses storms in our life to shape and mold us “to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). James says that storms (or trials) are used to make us “mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). So when will all our storms end? Not until the process is complete. Not until we are called home to be with the Lord!
But there is certainly much more to our Christian walk than storm survival. As we mature and grow closer to our Heavenly Father, we will see more clearly His purpose and learn to actually rejoice during our times of difficulty. Rather than fight the wind, we will allow it to teach us and cause us to soar! The storms will continue to be a part of our life, but we will also experience seasons of great victory.
These seasons of victorious soaring WILL come! For they are as much a part of our journey as the storm. But they are equally a time of teaching – a time where we must be reminded to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust the guidance of His Spirit.
The Israelites had wandered forty years in the desert and were now ready to cross into the promised land of Canaan. But Moses warned them to never stop praising and trusting God: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:10-11). Moses warned that when we fail to trust God during the peaceful times of blessing, we tend to forget and quickly become susceptible to our sinful pride.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18
“You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant.”
We must continually “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). We must trust as the storm approaches and as the waves threaten to sink our boat; but we must also trust as the wind and waves are calmed. In fact, we must focus on trusting Him even more when the storm ceases. In difficult times, we are continually reminded of our need for God, but times of blessing can cause us to trust our own ability…and forget.
God desires far more than to just be available during our times of great need. He desires to walk with us in an intimate relationship every moment of the day. Let’s continue to trust Him while we are sailing through the storm. But as we victoriously rise up on the wings of eagles, let’s also remember to praise Him and trust while we soar.
Have a Christ Centered Day!
Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries
**** Reading Plan ****
Mar 23 Num.-Deut 36:1-1:46; Luke 5:29-6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26
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