Through the Storms and In the Storm
Last night as the storms were rolling in I prayed that God would protect my family, friends and even their houses, yes I named each specifically and yes, I trusted God for that. This morning, once again I thank him, I praise him that no one was hurt, nothing was damaged, the storms moved their way through around us. I asked God for that protection, but I can not say that I believe I am promised or guaranteed that protection. This is where it can be confusing. I do believe God answers prayer, I do believe prayer moves, even changes the hand of God and I believe it is clear in his word that God desires, even commands us to ask him and to trust him. Look at James 5, especially verse 16, look at the conversation with God and Abraham as God is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah.
Still, I am sure that somewhere in the storm last night there is at least one person who has committed their life to Jesus Christ but this morning they have storm damage. I am convinced that there is at least one saved, God honoring, Bible believing Christian, without un-confessed sin in Greensburg Kansas or Windsor Colorado where the whole town was wiped out awhile back. There is at least one person in our military killed or captured and imprisoned by enemy forces whose heart is right before God, whose sin is confessed, who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I'm sure we all know people who have died or lost it all, and we know their testimony. So, while I do believe God answers my prayer and the prayer of believers, I also believe God reserves the right to do as he wishes. I believe many are confused by this and try to fix their confusion with stuff like this... we'll say, 'God will allow trials but he'll get us through them', or we'll think as long as we do not have un-confessed sin then he'll keep us protected from harm. Well, at least real harm, he'll keep us from the really bad things and get us through everything. Where is the line drawn that separates really bad? What does "get us through it" mean?
What pieces of this life does God count as important (as we do) and guarantee Family, friends, health, happiness? What parts of this world are "what it's all about" to Jesus? Is there any THING in this world that we can claim as protected by God? Who are God's enemies? I believe our confusion comes when we start looking at the things, the circumstances as I read in an excellent blog this morning "we chew on the bread and spit out the God's word"
If I think about the things and the circumstances then I'm stuck with the questions; "how can I trust you for this, this thing", "if I don't know you're going to do it?" "What is it, IT, that you want me to trust you for." But, in this thought and in these questions I'm getting the things ahead of my submission, ahead of my relationship to God. We don't trust him for the things, we trust HIM and give him the things.
For me, when I don't get it or can't figure it out (which seems more often now) I default to obedience and try to not worry about why and what if and all that. God tells me to trust him he tells me to ask, to bring my petitions before him. 1 John 3:22; 5:15. If I am not trusting him I am in sin - so if I try to do it all myself and don't include him I'm in sin. See Romans 14, especially verse 23.
He tells me to submit all that I have and all that I am totally to him. 1 Cor 6:20; Rom 12:1. While these 2 things will, without any doubt they will conflict with each other, they also provide clarity to me, the provide freedom to me and even joy if I really give myself and my request to him.
It does not matter what happens, how bad or good it is, or it seems; getting through doesn't matter, how it comes together doesn't matter, when it's all said and done doesn't matter, what matters is; Jesus Christ my Lord and my friend is here with me No Matter what. Psalm 139, Psalm 56:8