"In Whirlwind and Storm Is His Way"
“In Whirlwind and Storm Is His Way”
Blessings Folk!
As most of you know, our community and region were highly impacted by a series of storms this past week.
The initial wave knocked out power. Personally, we are beginning our 5th day without grid electricity - thank the Lord for cousin Lance who brought a generator for the refrigerator, coffee pot and computer!
The next wave brought tornados.
Locally, many business - 63 was the last count that I saw, and several hundred homes were effected.
Yet, we did not receive the brunt of the storm.
Pray for...
Tuscaloosa.
Phil Campbell.
Hackelberg.
Rainsville…and many others.
The smaller communities were basically eradicated of infrastructure.
Many died - 250+ in Alabama alone.
The question of “why?” comes to mind.
The Lord gives us understanding.
In Nahum we read the following…
Nahum 1
2 jealous and avenging God is the LORD;
The LORD is avenging and wrathful
The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries,
And He reserves wrath for His enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished
In whirlwind and storm is His way,
And clouds are the dust beneath His feet.
4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry;
He dries up all the rivers
Bashan and Carmel wither;
The blossoms of Lebanon wither.
5 Mountains quake because of Him
And the hills dissolve;
Indeed the earth is upheaved by His presence,
The world and all the inhabitants in it.
6 Who can stand before His indignation?
Who can endure the burning of His anger?
His wrath is poured out like fire
And the rocks are broken up by Him.
7 The LORD is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble,
And He knows those who take refuge in Him.
8 But with an overflowing flood
He will make a complete end of its site,
And will pursue His enemies into darkness.
My thoughts are always guided toward the great example we have in the Word related to such situations - Job.
Job was a righteous man. He was blameless, upright, fearing God and turned away from evil. Job 1:1
Job had done “nothing wrong.”
God simply said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job...?”.
Thus the account of Job begins.
You likely know it. It would be good to read it again...at least chapters 1-3, 37+.
Job endured horrible things.
None of his doing.
None “his fault”.
Why?
Chapters 37-42 of Job gives us amazing insight into the character and way of God.
Do read them soon.
As for now in our brief time...consider...
Job 37
5 "God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
We will not always understand the things that God does.
Remember the Lord’s Word in Isaiah…
Isaiah 55
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.
Now, give heed to this passage…
Job 37
11 "Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
12 "It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
That it may do whatever He commands it
On the face of the inhabited earth.
13 "Whether for correction, or for His world,
Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.
Break it down…
The Lord loads the thick cloud.
The Lord disperses the cloud of His lightning.
The lightning is the Lord’s.
The lightning changes direction, turning around by His guidance.
The cloud/lightning do whatever the Lord commands it to do on the face of the earth.
Whether for:
- correction
- for His world
- for lovingkindness
Then, what about the tragic deaths? What about the destruction? What about…?
Yes, I know.
But, the truth of the matter is that is boils down to this - the Lord is in control.
Our response must be as Job’s was…
Job 42
1 Then Job answered the LORD and said,
2 "I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
3 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?'
(This was God’s original question to Job)
"Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
4 'Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.'
5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
6 Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes."
In our local situation, the center of local government and religion were struck by the tornado. A simple observation.
I am not ready to run to judgment as to what the purpose of God is in each situation.
Each would do well to seek the Lord himself.
Ask of the Lord.
Receive His instruction.
Retract.
Repent.
Here is where I stand.
The Lord guides the lightning bolt.
The Lord directs the clouds.
The Lord does so for “correction, or for His world, or for lovingkindess.”
The Lord causes it to happen.
The Lord is good.
The Lord is a stronghold in the day of trouble.
The Lord knows those who take refuge in Him.
We have a choice.
Will we rest in our ability to explain and understand?
Or, will we take refuge in the Most High God, our Stronghold.
Choose today.
Do continue to pray for the many that are experiencing difficult, trying times.
May the Lord be with them.
Blessings!