Issue 874 – Storms of Life – October 6, 2022
Every life experiences storms. Sometimes they are actual physical storms, and other times tumultuous circumstances that we metaphorically call storms.
Less than two weeks ago, Hurricane Fiona (and related tropical storms) wreaked havoc in the Caribbean and along the Eastern seaboard of the Us and Canada. Lives were lost, and billions of dollars in property damage resulted.
In this photo, you can see where a two-story apartment building in Port aux Basques, Newfoundland stood before Fiona hit. A quick online search would show images of communities hit far harder.
Some communities will never fully recover, just as New Orleans has not recovered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The human cost alone, let alone the cost of rebuilding, has been staggering.
We live in a fallen, broken, sin-filled world, which is how life is sometimes. Life throws an unexpected curve and can wipe out the efforts and best intentions of man and beast alike. Life in a fallen world can be harsh. It can be short, and it can seem futile.
Nature can seem cruel. People can be cruel, and circumstances can feel brutal.
No matter what life throws at us, we don’t need to despair. We serve a big God who is truly in control, even when we don’t understand why things happen the way they do.
Job understood that. If ever a person understood what suffering was like, it had to be Job, yet he trusted and praised God.
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. Job 1:20-22
The Apostle Paul understood. He endured more than his share of persecution for the gospel. He shares some of that suffering in his second letter to the church at Corinth.
Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
Despite the things he endured, Paul also recognized something fundamental. Like Job so many years before Him, he knew there was a refuge and contentment even in the midst of suffering.
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13
It doesn’t matter if life seems to be flooding us out. We can cling to Father; He’ll carry us through it all. We don’t need to understand all the why’s; we simply have to trust and hold on.
There can be contentment, peace and joy amidst the best efforts of life and the evil one to wipe us out.
Until next time, rejoice in the midst of whatever life throws at you. You’re in the hands of a loving God. He’ll hold you fast against this earthly life’s rising floodwaters and buffeting winds.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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