Storms of Life

This past deer season was full of storms! I don’t believe that I have ever heard as much thunder, seen as much lightning, or felt as much wind and rain as I did this past December and January. Just this past Saturday I was literally scared for my life as two major storm systems pasted through my hunting area. You may be thinking, “What in the world were you doing in the woods in the first place?” Well we don’t have the time to discuss my craziness over a big whitetail so we will not go there. The fact of the matter is storms are serious! The storms involved with the weather, as well as the storms of life.

You may call them hard-times or heartaches, troubles or tragedies, crises, valleys, battles, or even wilderness experiences. The fact is these storms of life are just as certain as the weather. It is in my thinking that there is an extreme need to prepare us for these storms.

These storms are a challenge, but also an opportunity for the Christian. We are tempted during crises to surrender to the world’s viewpoint. During such difficult times we endure the loss of friends and loved ones. We undergo the loss of ambitions and the loss of possessions. These and many other storms of life often leave us discouraged. From a human perspective tragedy means loss. But God’s perspective is something completely different. It is a way that brings us closer to Him; and that my friends are a big gain.

Many people blame God for these storms that do hit like a hurricane. They ask “Why did God do this to me?” Or “Why did He allow me to suffer?” “If He is so powerful, why didn’t He stop this tragedy?”
This mind set will drive you crazy and can drive you away from the Lord Himself, the only one who can truly give you rest. The fact of the matter is that God does not think like we do. (Isaiah 55:8) As Christians we need to better understand God’s Nature and God’s Nurture.


God’s Nature

You see in times of distress there is a revealing process:
1. These troubles reveal a persons true character.
2. These troubles reveal ones true beliefs about God’s character.

Unless you clearly understand God’s character or God’s nature, you will never be able to properly respond in times of crisis.
* If you could name one word that describes the nature of God, what would it be?

You can find the answer in the verses below:
1. Exodus 15:11 “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
2. I Samuel 6:20 “And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
3. Psalms 99:9 “Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.
4. Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
5. Ezekiel 39:7 “So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.
6. Rev. 4:8 “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
7. Rev. 15:4 “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

The answer is: He Is HOLY!

His Holiness gives Him authority to ordain or allow these storms to come our way in order to bring Him Glory. Now we will never understand the specifics of God’s nature and His will, we just need to realize the fact they are Holy.

We will look to the second part of this lesson next week: God’s Nurture.

Until then, God Bless and Happy Hunting.

Posted by Mark Newell