A promise in a storm

We had a wicked storm the other night.  There was rain, thunder, lightning, and a strong wind.  The sound of the storm woke me and as I was lying there listening to branches break off and fall on our roof I knew that I was safe inside my house.  The roof and walls would do their job to keep the storm from coming inside and harming us.  Around 6:00 a.m. the storm let up and all that was left was rain.  By 7:00 even that had ceased.  I went outside with the intent of viewing the damage.  But, even though there was trash and broken tree limbs everywhere, what I found instead was another demonstration of  God's love for us. 
In Psalm 18:2 David says "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;...He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold."
You see, I could have chosen to just see the damage the storm left behind



the trash that had blown in 

and the broken branches

I could look up and see the tangled mess left in the trees

But I am reminded that if  I only look at what's in front of me I will be blinded to what is ahead and above

If I step back and see the bigger picture

I can see the sun shining through those same branches

and I can see that the storm did not destroy the tree, it simply pruned it - getting rid of the dead branches so that it could continue to grow and stand strong against the wind

When I picked up the trash and threw it away

Life came back

And when the storms of life come my way I know that like this roof

Jesus is there to protect me and keep the worst of the storm out.

Do you need a promise today? 

"But the Lord is my fortress; my God is a mighty rock where I can hide."  Psalm 95:22

"For you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.  Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!"  Psalm 61:3-4

"Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10