In the Midst of the Storm

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,”

even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.

Psalm 139:7-12

As I sit in the quiet of the morning, I am reminded of life’s uncertainties. I awoke this morning to the news that a church member (Randy Trotter, pray for them) had experienced a catastrophic and potentially life altering accident in Colorado.  My heart aches for them, but I trust that God will make His presence known in an overwhelming way.

This news made me think of another church family, the Jentsch’s, who faced a similar crisis a few years ago. They faced a very dark night as their son, Caleb, was injured in a skiing accident while in Colorado. They now stand on the other side of that crisis and have an incredible story to tell of God’s faithfulness. You can read about it here.

Another story came to mind as well, the evening that my mother called and told me that my dad had collapsed and the ambulance had just taken him to the hospital. I will never forget hearing the words, “Darrell, I’m pretty sure your dad is gone.” In that moment, it did not seem real. How could a man who was fine moments ago be gone just like that? He had just been given a clean bill of health after a pretty serious fight with cancer. Now, a heart valve had failed him and he stepped from this life to the next.

What do all these crises have in common? They do not represent a time when God was absent. They represent a time when God stood right in the middle of the storm with His children. They represent a time that God said, “My child, you may not understand now, but you will.” Regardless of what we face, God is with us. We can pray with the Psalmist, “Where shall I go from your Spirit? …If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! …If I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, your hand shall lead me…your right hand shall hold me.”

I do not know what you are facing on this day. However, I know this…God is with you. There is no place that you can go to escape His presence. While the storm may rage against you, do not lose hope. God has not deserted you, He is standing with you.