Trust In The Storm

Trust In The Storm

“If I walk in the midst of distress
Thou revives me…”
Psalm 138:7

Trouble and distress are often precursors to glory. Our heavenly Father aims to bring “many sons to glory.” He who “spared not His Son” on our behalf will not spare His rod and His staff from the lives of those who have purposed to know Him. In our distresses, we become focused and made aware of the eternal issue: to know and honor God.

It is in the press where the grapes are squeezed, the spices are crushed, and the pride of man is broken. These are the times that the vision of a true soul sees with the most clarity and the vanity of life is exposed. The fine wine is brought to maturity, the bouquet is sweetened, and the flavor is deepened and refined as the dregs of self are removed.

The gracious work of God makes that which was once bitter become sweet. In His economy, the best wine is always brought out at the last to glorify the wonder of His gracious work. The waters in the earthen pot have been transformed into the wine of the Spirit for others to drink and be refreshed.

“For I will restore health unto thee,
and I will heal thee of thy wounds…”
Jeremiah 30:17

God’s quickening and reviving work is ever in the midst of trial. The storm inevitably gives way to the calm in our holding fast to Him. That which has been torn will be restored; that which the wind has driven will find the harbor of His peace and security. Grey and angry skies will clear, and the deep blue face of heaven will be more serene than ever before.

Do not fear the storms, for He who knows our frame and limitations also knows how to keep His own within the everlasting arms.

“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”
Psalm 66:8-12

God’s end is to bring His own to the place of the abundance and graces of our Lord.

Related Post: Thought For Today – Trust

“Just as the saltwater of the sea is drawn upwards by the hot rays of the sun, and gradually takes on the form of clouds, and, turned thus into sweet and refreshing water, falls in showers on the earth (for the seawater as it rises upwards leaves behind it its salt and bitterness), so when the thoughts and desires of the man of prayer rise aloft like misty emanations of the soul, the rays of the Sun of Righteousness purify them of all sinful taint, and his prayers become a great cloud which descends from heaven in a shower of blessing, bringing refreshment to many on the earth.”
– Sadhu Sundar Singh

Brian Troxel