When The Rain Falls

I like the story of the seven-year-old boy who was called on to pray at the family dinner. He tried to pray what he had heard his father routinely pray for years, “Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies.” However, the little kid prayed instead, “Bless this food to the nervousness of our bodies.”
 
In recent days, some heavy rains and unwelcome street flooding have come to South Florida. When the rain falls, as we have seen, and in anticipation of the tropical storm season, I get a little nervous. But I have really good news: God even hears the prayers of His nervous children!
 
In fact, many of the great prayers of scripture come from the hearts of nervous, anxious saints. Psalm 27 is an example. David reveals a troubled heart and a stout faith all at the same time. He begins, “The LORD is my light and salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1-2). Then he ends by encouraging his own troubled heart to have confidence in God with these words: “Wait on the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
 
Sometimes we face threatening circumstances in which we must remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness. As the people of Israel were about to set foot in the Promised Land where they would face new adversaries and frightening experiences, Joshua urged the people of God: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). No doubt, these words gave them comfort and helped them persevere as they faced the greatest challenge of their lives.
 
It may be easier to trust the Lord when the sun is shining than when the storm is raging. Yet we will never really know the depth of our faith until it is tested by a powerful storm. Only then will we be fully certain how awesome is our God and worthy of our trust. We will join with the psalmist and say— “I am still confident of this (despite everything): I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13). Amen!
 
Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron