Psalm 46 has been a real source of encouragement for me lately. It starts out, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Boy, are we in troubling, stormy days! My grocery order is never available as soon as I seem to need it, all our activities have been cancelled, and I’m suddenly homeschooling my 6th and 3rd graders, all the while trying to keep my 3-year-old quiet while my husband works in the basement! Can I get an amen, anyone!?
But what about God being our refuge? I can hide “in Him” amidst the storm. I can rest in knowing that He is good, He loves me, there is hope for the future and I am safe. Like a father draws his child into his lap to hold and shelter them, God calls me into His presence to hold and comfort me. This was beautifully illustrated at our house last night during a massive thunderstorm. As the lightning flashed and thunder crashed, and rain beat against the house, our three-year-old, who normally sleeps soundly through an amazing amount of noise, woke up crying and literally shaking. And she was calling for daddy. Daddy was more than happy to scoop her up, hold her close, help her feel safe from the storm, and rock her back to sleep. Even when I don’t understand the storm, I know God is there with me in the midst of it and I don’t have to be afraid.
He is also my strength. I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. He enables me to work and accomplish the tasks I have with His strength in me. Without Him, I would have no ability to do what I need to do, much less be who I ought to be. Every morning when I wake up, I try to remember to ask for His strength for the day. Sometimes I forget and blow it. Usually it manifests itself in being impatient with my kids and irritable with my husband. I’m so thankful that He is merciful and good when I mess up!
Are you feeling the storm of life pouring down on you? Are you frightened and afraid? Your good Father is there, ready to hold and comfort you. Crawl into His lap and let Him be your shelter from the storm.
Are you overwhelmed and weary with all the things you have to do? He wants to empower you to accomplish your work with joy. Ask Him for His strength to be and do. I’d really like to be able to look back on this crazy time in history and thank Him for teaching me to walk through the storm with Him rather than trying to do it all myself.
Love from Janelle
