Storm

My wife Laurel and I could see the storm brewing on the Canadian prairie horizon, and it looked ominous. The weather reports on our phones warned of torrential downpours, high winds, hail, funnel clouds and tornadoes. Meanwhile, the sky above us had turned from blue to white, to gray, to black in a matter of minutes; We needed to drive furiously (but safely) back to Herbert, Saskatchewan, Canada, where we could seek refuge.

As we drove, a feeling of smallness crept into our hearts knowing that we were at the mercy of the approaching storm. Our car seemed to be at the mercy of the wind as it moved us back and forth across the road. Helplessness pushed us to keep driving as the storm drew closer and closer.

Have you ever cried out to God in a moment like I just described?

Have you ever felt a sense of being at the mercy of the weather and cried out to God for the miracle of having a weather system move past you until you could find a place of refuge?

Have you ever asked God to bring rain in a season of spiritual drought? I have.

Over the next seven days, I want to focus on a miraculous tool that God uses to grab our attention, challenge our hearts, and remind us of just how powerful He is! Many of us overlook this element of life even though it is with us every moment of every day. Many of us check in on it multiple times a day because it truly influences our daily decisions. What am I referring to? The miracle of weather!

Storms, rain, lightning, thunder, wind, snow and even fog can usher in miraculous moments where we meet God face to face. I am so excited to take this journey with you.

As Laurel and I outraced the storm to the safety of her childhood home, I was struck by the words of Psalm 18:

“In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.... He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.” (Psalm 18:6-13, NIV)

God is in the storm...always. He directs them with His miraculous power. Sometimes, when we are disobedient, God IS the storm! He directs his miraculous power to get our attention.

God is also the one who responds when we cry out for the miracle of deliverance from a storm. Psalm 107 says:

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:28-30 NIV)

No matter the weather around you today, thank God for it and remember that God is in control. He hears your cry, and He will respond.

As Laurel and I watched the storm retreat, we were blessed to see a miraculous sign of God's protection and deliverance...a rainbow. Today, as you face storms and weather, know that God is in control of all that you will face. The miracle of His presence allows us to cry out for His deliverance and His provision. The rain of the storm can cause havoc, but it can also bring much-needed moisture to the thirsty ground!

You are a miracle!

Grant Fishbook

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day. If you want to receive an email every day, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day .