When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.’
DAILY READING Luke 8:26-56; Genesis 13:1-14:24; Psalm 7
During the height of Hurricane Irma in 2017, someone posted a photo on Facebook of a lone palm tree in Gustavia, capital of the Caribbean island of St. Barts. This tree was being battered by rain and winds that blew through the Island at up to 185 miles per hour. Though it was swaying mightily, this palm tree still stood upright.
The photo drew comments immediately. Many of those watching the live stream of the hurricane cheered for this palm tree, which refused to be overcome by the storm. Soon a fan club was born, and the Palm tree now nicknamed Hector, became an internet sensation. As the hurricane continued, Hector braved the winds, even lasting longer than the livecam3 camera recording the storm. From the last images before the camera went down, one could still see Hector, bowed but unbeaten, still fighting as hurricane Irma raged.
In the wake of the Hurricane, the region was turned into a disaster zone. Many houses were destoyed and even lives lost. But the remarkable thing was that Hector the palm tree survived, and was still standing upright, despite the devastation around it. Indeed palm trees are survivors, they are aerodynamic marvels.
Psalm 92:12 says ‘The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;’
God said we will flourish like a palm because He knows there’s resurrection power in us to bring us up from any pit. In the storm, palm trees can bend, but they don’t break. The tree can be flattened against the ground, for up to 6 hours and even appear as if it has been destroyed. But once the storm is over, the palm tree bounces right back up.
God has put a bounce in you, just like the palm tree. You may get knocked down, but not knocked out. You may be bent over, but it’s not over. The enemy doesn’t have the final say over your life, only Jehovah does. And He says in Isaiah 43:2 ‘When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.’
You may go through a season of trouble but it’s only temporary. No matter the situation, you are bouncing right back up again. If The Spirit that raised Christ up from the dead dwells in you, surely He can raise you up from any pit. And the comeback is always better.
Scientists have found that when the storm is over, the palm tree comes back better and stronger than it was before. Being a person of faith doesn’t mean you will never have any trouble, but the beautiful thing is that each battle only makes us stronger.
Prov. 24:16 says the righteous man falls seven times and yet rises again. That means you are indefatigable . You are built to last. So no matter what you are facing now, get up! You’re not broken! The stronger one lives in you, and because He lives, you shall live also. Never mind what may be happening around you. Never mind who may have disappointed you or turned their backs against you. People may leave, but as long as God doesn’t leave, it is alright. Look back and remember the past goodness of God in your life. What He did before, He is able to do again. Praise Him for all His faithfulness. Appreciate Him that despite the storm, He has preserved you. You know that what you passed through could have killed you, yet you survived. And if you are alive, it means that God isn’t done with you yet. He that has begun this good work in you, will surely bring it to completion. Just keep your root grounded in the Word of God, and continue to praise God in every situation. Your victory is on the way. Surely they that put their trust in God shall never be ashamed.
PRAYER: Lord, I Thank You for helping me to stand despite the fierce winds of opposition. By Your grace I will only keep growing stronger and rising higher. Surely through Christ I am more than a conqueror in every battle of life in Jesus Name.
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True success is not verifiable in the fact a man has never fallen before but rather in the fact that he did not only fall but also got up- WORDBITE 222.