Hope In A Hurricane

 

Hope In A Hurricane (By Gary Patterson) 

 People across the northern Caribbean are beginning to dig out from the destruction of Hurricane Melissa, as deaths from the catastrophic storm climbed to at least 28 across Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, with Haiti reporting most of those fatalities. On Thursday, Melissa was moving away from the Bahamas and had turned toward Bermuda, where weather conditions were expected to "rapidly deteriorate" later in the day, according to the National Hurricane Center. *CBS News

 Just as Hurricane Melissa brings fierce winds and rising waters, life’s storms often come without warning—shaking our foundations and testing our faith. Yet Scripture reminds us that even in the most violent tempests, God remains our refuge. In Mark 4:39, Jesus calmed the raging sea with a word, showing that no storm is beyond His command. When fear threatens to overwhelm us, we can echo the psalmist’s confidence: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way…” (Psalm 46:1–2) 

 In April of 2011, a line of deadly tornadoes ripped across the state of Alabama, leaving some 250 people dead in its wake. Near Wellington, Alabama, the Hardy family realized the storm was coming too late to find a permanent shelter. They considered trying to take shelter in a metal clubhouse, but it had already been turned on its side by the strong winds. So in desperation, they took shelter in a small stand of trees. They tied a rope around the children and huddled around them in the trees as the storm passed. A family member said that while they had been scratched by flying dirt and debris, none suffered any serious injuries. 

 Imagine how tightly you would cling to the trees and rope in such a situation. Knowing that your life or the life of your child might depend on your grip would give you all the motivation you needed to hang on with every ounce of power you could muster! Although there are no warning sirens or news alerts, each of us is living in the path of destructive storms. There are temptations and destructive philosophies abounding around us, and if we do not have a secure place of protection, we will be destroyed. Because the Word of God is so readily available to us, we often take it for granted rather than treasuring it as the precious resource it is. When you view the Bible as a lifeline designed to keep you safe through the storms of life, you begin to take it more seriously. (Ministry 127) 

 Like a hurricane, trials may swirl around us, but anchoring ourselves in God’s promises gives us peace that surpasses understanding. Even if something happens to us in the midst of a hurricane, or tornado, or in any kind of storm; If we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and Shepherd, we have the assurance that He will care for us, not only in our life here, but all of eternity. The storm may rage, but we are not alone in the boat. Jesus is with us "all the days of our lives." (Psalm 23:6) GP