Life is full of storms. Some storms in life are short. Some storms are long, and it can seem for some people like life is one long storm.
We are reminded of God’s words by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 43:1-3 “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your savior.”
Notice what those words of God say: Do not fear. God has redeemed you. God calls his own by name. When the storm comes – not if the storm comes. The water is coming. The floods of life are coming. The fires of life will arrive on your doorstep. All of us have storms. You can count on in it. Do not blame God. Life has storms.
To those who are redeemed by God – trust God. Believe God. God promises those he has redeemed that he will be with them. You shall not be burned. The flame shall not consume you. Before the storm arrives. Go to God. When the storm arrives. Go to God. When you are in the storm hang on to God. After the storm has left – hold on to God.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
You have a responsibility to come. Take his yoke. Learn from Jesus. He is gentle and lowly in heart. Everyone wants to find rest for his soul. Do not wait until the storm arrives to come to Jesus. Do not wait until you are in the storm to learn from him. He will carry you through the storm.
Ben Fleming is a retired pastor at Silver Hills Community Church.
