Living in the Tempest

 

What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever. (Proverbs 10:24-25 ESV).

 

Our reading today is one of great encouragement. We all go through trials in life. They may be health trials, relationship trials, financial trials, or emotional trials. Of course it is true that all our hardships and difficulties end up being spiritual trials as well. It is natural to wonder where God is during these times. So often we feel abandoned in the tempests of life.

 

Scripture never promises that we will be able to go through life without encountering storms and setbacks. There is no promise that life will be easy, or simple, or smooth sailing. In fact, the Scripture makes it clear that we should expect trials and difficulties. This is true even when we make all the right choices. Trials are a part of this life.

 

Nevertheless, God promises to be with us always. Through the storms of life he will be our strength and deliverer. Jesus taught that whoever follows his teaching is “like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (cf. Matthew 7:24-27): when a heavy storm came, the house did not fall because it was built on a solid foundation.

 

Similarly, Proverbs calls us to build our lives on wisdom and righteousness. The source of wisdom and ultimately righteousness is in our relationship with God through Christ. When we are believers, we will be securely anchored and able to endure the storms of life. The writer of Hebrews explains it like this:

 

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV).

 

With God as our foundation, we can stand firm, trusting that our destiny is safe in his hands.