The weather forecast is calling for a High Wind Warning later this afternoon and into this evening, with winds of 30-40 mph, and gusts up to 60mph.
Living in the forest, a heavy windstorm is somewhat unnerving. It would surprise you just how much 80-foot tall trees sway back & forth! I’ve seen what a full-size toppled tree on a house looks like.
As I was reading my Bible this morning, having some quiet time with God, I read Psalm 42. This Psalm made me think of many people, who heading into the Holidays, probably feel like they are heading into a High Wind Storm of life! The intensity is overwhelming!
The psalmist opens this Psalm desperate for God! The psalmist cries out – “God, I need you! God I’m desperate for you – I’m parched, and in desperate thirst!”
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” – Psalm 42:1
“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” – Psalm 42:2
The psalmist continues – “I’m in tears continually! Every time I turn around, the tears come! My heart is absolutely broken!”
“My tears have been my food day and night.” – Psalm 42:3
The psalmist continues – “I don’t get why I’m such a wreck. Why can’t I pull myself together?? This is SO hard … but God is good! God’s got me! I choose … intentionally, regardless of how I feel, to put my hope and my trust in God!”
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God.” – Psalm 42:5a
The psalmist continues – “Aaaarghh!! I’m such a wreck! This is SO hard! But … God is good! So, I intentionally choose to keep my gaze focused on God!”
“My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you God.” – Psalm 42:5b
The psalmist continues – “This pain, this heartache, this grief, this struggle is like a massive surging, roaring waterfall crashing over me! I feel completely pummeled!”
“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls.” – Psalm 42:7a
The psalmist continues – “I feel like I’m drowning in this!!”
“All your waves and breakers have swept over me.” – Psalm 42:7b
The psalmist continues – “But God is with me! God will help me make it through today. And once I make it through today … God will help me get through tomorrow. I will make it. God will help me!”
“By day the LORD directs his love.” – Psalm 42:8a
The psalmist continues – “God will help me make it through the night. When I can’t sleep … God’s song will get me through the night. I’ll sing to God! My song will be my prayer! In the dark passing hours of the night – God will get me through!”
“At night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.” – Psalm 42:8b
The psalmist concludes – “This is SO hard! This is SO SO hard!! But … I choose, intentionally, regardless of how I am feeling to praise God! I choose to praise God! God’s got me! God will get me through!”
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11
We have hope … because of Jesus Christ!
Jesus will never leave us or forsake us!
Jesus will be right there with us in the High Wind Storm of life … whatever that might be!
Jesus will take care of us!
