"Peace in the Storm"

At that time, this song will be sung in the country of Judah: We have a strong city, Salvation City, built and fortified with salvation. Throw wide the gates so good and true people can enter. People with their minds set on you, you keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don't quit. Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing. (Isaiah 26:1-4 The Message)

Sometimes I’ll do a search for a picture or poem to illustrate a thought that is rattling around in my head and heart. Today I found one of a picture of a small bird huddled behind a rock. It comes from a remarkable painting by Jack E. Dawson. It is a wonderful example of the thought of how we can make it through the storms of life. In fact, he titled the work: Peace in the Midst of the Storm. It not only pictures a bird in a storm, it also has five small birds hidden behind a crashing waterfall in the midst of a thunderstorm.

It is such a comfort to me to understand that the Lord is always there with us in the midst of any storm of life. The idea of perfect peace is especially appealing when you are in a storm. Many years ago when Mary and I flew to Israel, we were on a smaller jet making the hop from Paris to Tel Aviv. It was a little bumpy with air turbulence, but nothing terribly out of the ordinary. I had no idea how it was affecting the other passengers who were for the most part from that area. As we made our descent into the airport, the typical bump and screech of the tires hitting the hardtop was heard and felt. The landing was pretty smooth overall. Yet when the plane was finally completely down and on all of its wheels, most of the cabin erupted into applause! I turned to Mary and said, “Maybe I should have been a little more concerned!” Evidently everyone else was very relieved to be down!

Sometimes the storms we go through cannot help but involved us intensely. At other times I have found that I didn’t even know I was really in any danger. I think those times when I seemed to pass through the storms without a thought or care were when I simply trusted the “Pilot.” In today’s reading Isaiah tells us as much.

Yes, there will be storms in the forecast for us. Storms are inevitable. But we also have the confident assurance that the Lord will shelter us in the storms. He will not always use the same methods to protect us, but He will do so. At times He will allow the storms to pass by on each side while we are protected in the palm of His hand. At other times He will permit us to go through some violent storm. I think He does this to show how true believers should react when our world is turned upside down. Do you want peace in the midst of your storm? Place your trust in the Lord and do not allow the storm to shake your faith. Praise the Lord that He is greater than any storm we will encounter!