Momentary Storms
Momentary Storms
Fearing God & Loving His Protection
For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5
On my morning walk, I came upon this message in sidewalk chalk: storms don’t last forever. I wanted to write an “amen.” Instead, I followed the typical 21st century response. I took a picture of it. Storms indeed do not last forever but storms, like the anger of God, have a purpose. Storms find the high places and humble them with a blast of lightning. Storms expose the temporary structures with high winds and loosen them. Storms cleanse the land and wash the ground with nutrients.
But what do storms do when human beings encounter them first hand? They humble us. I remember being trapped on the middle of a mountain trail during an afternoon Colorado storm. The hail was pelting me. The lightning and the thunder were simultaneous. I remember seeing a tree not far in front of me struck and then smoke. I dropped to the ground. As I was humbled in posture, I don’t remember exactly what I said. Maybe saying, praying, crying something in a mumbling tongue like “Maker of this storm, have mercy on me. Protect me.”
As with most Colorado storms, they go as quickly as they come. But I will not forget that picture of His momentary anger. Every idol and “high place” that I had built in my heart was leveled. I didn’t want a drink, or a fix, or an escape, or man’s approval or a show on Hulu. I wanted protection from the awesome power that was over me. And, in that moment, I received it.
During this season of uncertainty and quarantine, every idol or “high place” in our hearts is being confronted with a blast of the Lord’s lightning. We may be weeping or whining about it. But it has purpose. To show us there is a power greater than ourselves who is infuriated, fiery if you will, about our rebellion against him. But to lead us then to see a Son who has the power to protect us from His anger and fire.
I remember when I got back on the trail and headed back down the mountain. The sun was shining and so was my face. I was protected! I was safe. As Bebo Norman says in his song “Walk Down This Mountain,” my heart was “held high.” We can allow the Lord, during our moments of lightning-striking, idol-demolishing storm, to say, pray, cry “have mercy on me O God.” And know the storm that is upon us is a gift to see the One who shines His favor of protection and love upon us forever.
Father, bring your holy finger against the “high places” of our hearts that we might know the protection of Jesus and walk confidently in His favor. Amen.
Thoughts for Reflection
What has been the hardest thing to give up over these past few weeks?
Are there part of your heart that are hanging on tightly to certain things?
What have been some “bolts” of holy love and lightning God has shown to you?