#trendingtopic
Hurricane Matthew is bearing down on Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba as I write. It's being described as the strongest Atlantic hurricane in almost a decade. The thought that always enters my mind when thinking about extreme weather events, is how suddenly they come and how they have the potential to upend the entirety of the lives they come in contact with, within moments. Storms, for me, are the ultimate reminder that despite all of our planning and gathering, God is in control. And, like a category 5 hurricane, He can change everything about your life, in an instant.
#scripturetiein
The Bible contains so many verses that liken God, or His presence to natural events. Today we'll look at a couple verses.
Hosea 6:3
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.
Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
I love Hosea 6:3 because it compares the assurance that God will come to us with the assurance we have that the dawn will come each day. Yet, it also describes this coming like the rain. While we can be sure that God will come to us when we press on to know Him, it may be that his coming is sudden and its affects are like a downpour on a picnic, on our carefully planned lives. When truly searching for God, know these two things: a.) You will find Him. and b.) There is a large chance that when you do find Him, He will shake your life up quite a bit!
In Acts 2:2 we are brought to a scene of the disciples sitting quiet and scared, locked into a house, after the crucifixion of Christ. Their leader is gone. They are likely wanted as accomplices to His "crimes". They don't know where to go, or what to do next. And then this sound fills the room. And it sounds like a "mighty rushing wind". It fills the whole room. It is the Holy Spirit, coming to rest upon each of them and inhabit them for the rest of their known days. I believe the disciples knew that God was not done with them yet. But I also believe they had no idea what was about to happen to them. This is often how God reveals Himself in our lives. As believers, we know He is working. Often we don't really know what He is doing. But sometimes, He comes to us so strongly, like a mighty rushing wind, that we can't help but be moved by Him. Go on to read the rest of Acts and you'll see that that mighty rushing wind was the beginning of a complete change of life for these men, and the multitudes of people who would go on to believe what they preached and have the holy spirit in their lives, as well.
#liveitHosea 6:3
Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.
Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
I love Hosea 6:3 because it compares the assurance that God will come to us with the assurance we have that the dawn will come each day. Yet, it also describes this coming like the rain. While we can be sure that God will come to us when we press on to know Him, it may be that his coming is sudden and its affects are like a downpour on a picnic, on our carefully planned lives. When truly searching for God, know these two things: a.) You will find Him. and b.) There is a large chance that when you do find Him, He will shake your life up quite a bit!
In Acts 2:2 we are brought to a scene of the disciples sitting quiet and scared, locked into a house, after the crucifixion of Christ. Their leader is gone. They are likely wanted as accomplices to His "crimes". They don't know where to go, or what to do next. And then this sound fills the room. And it sounds like a "mighty rushing wind". It fills the whole room. It is the Holy Spirit, coming to rest upon each of them and inhabit them for the rest of their known days. I believe the disciples knew that God was not done with them yet. But I also believe they had no idea what was about to happen to them. This is often how God reveals Himself in our lives. As believers, we know He is working. Often we don't really know what He is doing. But sometimes, He comes to us so strongly, like a mighty rushing wind, that we can't help but be moved by Him. Go on to read the rest of Acts and you'll see that that mighty rushing wind was the beginning of a complete change of life for these men, and the multitudes of people who would go on to believe what they preached and have the holy spirit in their lives, as well.
The take away here is that we should live our lives absolutely sure of God's presence and absolutely unsure of what He may do next. Complacency in life is an open invitation to God to shake things up, and remind you of His power and ultimate control. This can seem scary, as we tend to seek comfort and routine, and the unknown is often quite frightening. But unlike a natural storm that sweeps through and steals lives and then move away, leaving its victims with nothing, when God rains down on your life, He leaves you with His Spirit. He may take and take from you, but what He leaves you with is SO much more lasting, and valuable. Trust in His storm. Let the wind take you. Let the rain wash away those things you hold dear. Embrace the storm and trust. Trust God to provide in ways you never thought possible.
#prayer
#prayer
Father God, There are times in my life that I will never forget in which you came in like a hurricane, and left beauty in the rubble. No matter how bad the storms were, I would never go back and undo them, as it was during them that I truly felt Your powerful presence in my life. And yet, Lord, I know my bent is always towards routine and comfort. Lord, I am ready for the wind and rain. They will not move me from my quest to search and find you everyday, in everything. I ask Lord that you make your presence known to myself and those around me in my life in a major way. Thank you, Lord, for being trustworthy through it all. Your word says you will never leave me or forsake me. With each storm that comes, I know that I wait it out with You. And you are all the company I need.
Amen
Amen
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