God's presence in our storms...

"If you have the Shepherd, you have grace for every sin, direction for every turn, a candle for every corner, and an ANCHOR FOR EVERY STORM" (Quote by Max Lucado)

Last week I posted the following post on my blog "Dwelling in His Presence". I'm sharing it with you here as well but I'm also adding to the end of it some thoughts that I came across today as I was reading a Max Lucado Devotional on Matthew 14:25-33 (Jesus walked on water).

(Nov 21, 2008) This week I've found myself feeling like I'm in the midst of a storm...not really sure on how to accurately describe it except to say that I've had a lot of unrest. There are a few areas of my life that currently have a big "?" on them and this week those Question marks for whatever reason seem to have gotten even bigger.
As I type this we are expecting another major snow storm (2nd one this week) and they have been talking all day about how this storm is going to hit quickly and be extremely intense over this part of the Island. I'm thinking tonight about storms in our lives and how so often they seem to come out of no where and we find our selves in the midst of a storm, not knowing how we got there or how we can get out of it.
I AM SO THANKFUL that in the midst of the storm...in the midst of the confusion, doubts, unknowns and Question Marks...there is a GOD who is able to calm the storm and see us through the storm!!!
I'm so encouraged tonight by Job 40:6 "Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:", this verse has been such a timely reminder to me of how even in the Midst of a storm...God STILL SPEAKS!!!
Whatever you may be facing today...be encouraged to know that you are not alone in the Storm...and that God will walk through the Storm with you...He will guide you and will speak to you through this time...Rest in HIM...
Psalm 107:28-30 28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

God's Presence (Max Lucado-on Matthew 14:25-33)

Their Question--What hope do we have of surviving a stormy night?

My Question--Where is God when his world is stormy?

Doubtstorms: turbulent days when the enemy is too big, the task too great, the future too bleak and the answers too few. Every so often a storm will come and I'll look up into the blackening sky and say, "God, a little light, please?" The light came for the disciples. A figure came to them walking on the water. It wasn't what they expected. Perhaps they were looking for angels to descend or heaven to open. Maybe they were listening for a divine proclamation to still the storm. We don't know what they were looking for. But one thing is for sure, they weren't looking for Jesus to come walking on the water..and since Jesus came in a way they didn't expect, they almost missed seeing the answer to their prayers. And unless we look, and listen closely, we risk making the same mistake. God's lights in our dark nights are as numerous as the stars, if only we'll look for them. "When Jesus comes," the disciples in the boat may have thought, "he'll split the sky. The sea will calm. The clouds will disperse." "When God comes," we doubters think, "all pain will flee. Life will be tranquil. No questions will remain." And because we look for the bonfire, we miss the candle. Because we listen for the shout, we miss the whisper. But it is in the burnished candles that God comes, and through whispered promises he speaks: "When you doubt, look around; I am closer than you think."

**I (Kelley) am still in the midst of a storm, but as this week has gone on God's lights in my dark nights are becoming clearer with each moment--I'm seeking to find the purpose in this storm--determined to be joyful in the midst of the storm--and confident that HE IS WITH ME THROUGH THE STORM!!! Be encouraged today....whatever you may find yourself in the midst of...to know that with HIM we truly have an ANCHOR FOR EVERY STORM!!!