PSALM 57:1 – Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.”

Physical storms of destruction. They come in various forms. Hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, crippling snowstorms, howling and devastating winds are just a few. With technological advancements in meteorology, we may get ample warning of their arrival allowing us to prepare. But even so, physical storms of destruction may leave a wake of life-altering damage, even loss of life. In not a few cases, extreme physical storms forever change a person, family, or city. But there are other types of storms in life. Obviously, not literal, but they sure feel like it!

We encounter personal physical storms like a sudden accident, a medical diagnosis, or a loss of income comes into our lives severely altering a lot of things. And because we live in a physical world, such occurrences, if we are not careful, will send us into an emotional storm. One filled with gale force winds of anxiety, stress and torrential rains of discouragement, even depression. Each of us knows the painful experience of “emotional storms” keeping us awake at night either literally pacing around a darkened room or staring into a ceiling in the bondage of racing thoughts. Then, we come to the third type of storms and they, too, might be quite destructive in our lives–spiritual storms.

In today’s scripture, David is experiencing physical, emotional, and spiritual storms that could bring about destruction–of his life. He is hiding in a cave. Saul is seeking him and not for reconciliation. The man after God’s own heart is afraid. What does he do in his storms? The very two things we must do in ours.

First, David knows where his security and safety are found–under the shadow of God’s wings. It was David’s personal God who had been and will be his sure refuge in life’s many storms. And David exercises faith in his protecting God. When we encounter our storms in life, don’t try to resort to self-sufficiency or worldly means of protection. They fail. Every time. Run and hide in the only sure thing in life–our God and His always sufficient grace enabling us to weather all our storms.

Next, we find David seeing not only the temporary nature of life but all of life’s storms will pass. Keep this perspective in the intensity of our physical, emotional, and spiritual storms. I know. They feel never-ending, but they are finite. Thinking this way will help us endure the storms and grow spiritually through them as we keep ourselves close to the God who uses storms for our good.

So, storms in life. They are inevitable. Make sure we hide in the right place–our God and trust Him todo us good in and through our storms.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for being my protector and refuge during the many storms of life.”

QUOTE: “Remember in the midst of the fiercest storms in life–physical, spiritual, emotional–they will pass.”

Because of Him,
Pastor Jim