46:1-2 ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea’

DAILY READING; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ezekiel 12-13; Isaiah 43

After Hurricane Katrina hit Long Beach, Mississippi, one of the amazing sights that was left behind was the Gulfport Church of God.  In the midst of the tragedy and chaos where most other buildings were destroyed, this Church building remained standing, unscathed.  Its miraculous survival is indeed a testimony of God’s divine protection. .

When the winds of the hurricane first began to blow, the pastor of the Church, and another pastor, together with their wives had walked around the sanctuary, praying fervently and asking for God’s divine protection. While they prayed the ferocious winds of the hurricane only kept growing stronger. As they watched the winds tear the big sign outside the Church to pieces, they still kept praying for God’s special protection over the church. At the height of the Hurricane’s fury, they prayed even harder.

As the waters started to pour in from the fierce rain, they did what they could to keep the water from coming into the sanctuary and kept mopping it up. When the storm finally passed, they didn’t grasp the extent of its devastation until they stepped outside. Seeing what had happened astounded them! Surrounding buildings had been ripped apart and many destroyed. But the church? Not a scratch. Miraculously God had sheltered the  church from the hurricane!  And in the aftermath of the devastation, the Church building now became a shelter and center for  distributing food to the victims of the hurricane.

46:1-2 says ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea’

We should always remember that the presence of the storm does not indicate the absence of God.  Right in the midst of the hurricane that leveled stronger structures, God sheltered this Church building.

Often in the midst of a storm, the tendency  is to wonder, “Where is God”?  But the Bible says God is an ever present help in the time of trouble. In other words, He is present right there in the storm. When you are a covenant child of God, you can be sure that He is always with you in every situation. He said in Isaiah 43:2 ” When thou pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:..’

Even those times the storm seems toughest and the night appears darkest, Jesus is still right there in your boat. Therefore don’t become  so aware of the storm that you lose awareness of God’s presence. .

You may not see Him, you may not feel Him, you may not sense Him, but He is always there. And when you cannot trace Him, then you simply trust Him. Despite the lightning flashes, the thunder rolls,  the dark clouds, He will shelter you and cause you to survive it all.

Indeed survival can be summed up in three words, ‘never give up’. That’s the heart of it really. No matter what comes against you, hold on to God’s Word and keep your focus on Jesus.  Indeed to overcome you must be rooted in The Word.

Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” This means you soak up the Word just as a dry sponge soaks up water. It is The Word within you that births the faith that will cause you to triumph. Therefore, always remain  strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Choose to rejoice, knowing that God is bringing out the best in you.  The storm has only come to make you stronger. There is no success without a test, no victory without a battle and no miracle without a problem. But after  you have been tried , surely you shall come forth as gold.

Indeed God will see you through. His grace that has brought you thus far, will keep you. Fear not. Do not be troubled, let not your heart be shaken. Your God is faithful. He that keeps Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. He has not brought you this far to leave you. And no matter how the storm blows, God will preserve you, surely, the battle is not yours, but the Lord’s.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for always sheltering me from every storm of life. Thank You for granting me strength from Your Word in every situation. No matter what I may pass through, I know I am coming out stronger and better in Jesus Name.

QUOTE

There is something that God has placed within you that the world is eagerly awaiting to see. WORDBITE 222.