When It Rains...

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God…”
Isaiah 43:2-3

It pours - at least that’s how the saying goes. California is facing the worst draught in a century. An orange grove down the highway a piece is dying because the farmer ran out of water. Our small town and towns across the state are willing to pay people to rip their lawns out and replace them with something draught resistant. Times of environmental draught are hard on everyone. There will be times in our lives when we will face spiritual draughts as well - these too are difficult to deal with. However, times of spiritual draught are few in comparison to the storms of life.

You know the kind of storms I mean. The torrents of unemployment, health issues, relationship problems or they myriad of other things life throws at us. Just as it seems the rain is easing a bit, a new crisis turns up and it’s pouring again. You got that new job, but the car breaks down before you get the first paycheck. Just as it appears you are coming through an illness or injury -you are faced with another. It can be anything - the storm that has been raging starts to clear only for the next storm to come on strong, threatening to flood your life, wash away your foundation and leave you well and truly stuck in the muck and mire of life on this planet. 

This week’s passage from the prophet Isaiah is meant to remind us that the One who is the LORD our God will not leave us alone in the midst of the storm. We may need to face the storm head on, but He will be there even when we don’t see or feel Him there and He will not let you be overcome by the flood waters, or sucked down into the mud. You will make it through to the other side of whatever storms you will face this week, this month or this year.

Why will He be there with us? Why will he save us from these storms? Isaiah tells the Israelites and us “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you…” (Isaiah 43:4). That is His grace in action.

This week no matter how hard it is pouring in your life, know that you are not alone - He is there with you, there are others in similar storms that are walking with you. 

Some times when it rains, it pours - let’s go stomp in life’s puddles together.

A Prayer
Father - thank you for being with us as the life’s flood waters rise and rivers rage. Thank you for the people who weather the storms with us, show us grace and love when the storm clouds seem never ending. Help us Lord in the times when we can enjoy sunny days to stomp in the puddles with someone in the storm. In the name Jesus, who will never leave us, because He loves us - we pray - Amen.