40 Days in the Word - Power of the Word Sample

Theme | I Will Be Your Refuge

From | Lee Stenhouse

Verses | Psalm 9:9, Deuteronomy 33:27, Isaiah 41:9-10

I’m a bit of a storm chaser - I love hearing the thunder rolling in, the winds blowing with force and watching the sky illuminated with lightning. Sometimes I head to the beach to watch the giant waves crashing on the shore, however, I do not like being caught unprepared by a storm where you end up trudging home from work, soggy and cold!

A few years ago, I was at the seaside markets with my son and we were enjoying a walk along the beach with our smoothies. From the east, the morning sun was shining, and warming our backs as we gazed toward the Indian Ocean. We both noticed an extremely dark storm front moving in quickly across the water, and it did not look safe to be out and about at all! We ran to our car with thunder roaring behind us, and as soon as we were inside, the heavens opened with a huge deluge of rain and bolts of lightning. We breathed a sigh of relief to be safe from the storm and remained in the car park until the storm front had passed.

For the past four years our world, as we knew it, has been turned upside down. Not only was there a worldwide pandemic, but since then, its repercussions have brought storm after storm to many. These Scriptures are a blessed reminder to us all, that we cannot weather the storms alone - that we should not weather the storms alone - and that our God should be our dwelling place. His presence is the place we run to when everything around us is shaken. If you are feeling like you’re weathering a storm alone, please know that you’re not alone - God is there and ready to take you under His wings to create a safe place for you to rest.

”I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are my servant; I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:9-10 (CSB)

Prayer | Father, we thank You that we can run to You, and not from You, when our world is shaken. We pray for anyone who is feeling like they’re being tossed about in a storm, and that they will find refuge in You. We pray they will be healed and strengthened, and find joy whilst abiding in Your presence. Amen.