Date: Saturday June 23, 2012
Today's Chapters: Psalms 69-72
Message Title: Weathering The Storm

Hello My Friend,

Just before a storm comes there are many signs of it's coming, gray sky, dark clouds, increased wind, a little bit of rain, perhaps some lightning going across the sky. You know it is coming so you at least have a little bit of time to prepare, but what happens if it comes quicker that you think and do not have enough time to prepare. You weather out the storm the best you can with whatever shelter you can find in hopes that there is not too much damage. Life is the same way, we know that a storm is coming, we just do not know that it is coming as fast as it does and are often unprepared for it. However, we can weather any storm with Jesus Christ, “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” - Matthew 8:24-26.

Many of the Psalms David penned were through distress, while he often complained about his state of being he never stopped believing that God would get him out of them. Often his prayers contained prophecies of Christ, one of the signs that proves the Bible is inspired and not just some thoughts of man. This time David felt like he was drowning in a flood and sought for God to let the waters subside. “Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation. Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.” - Psalm 69:1-3,13-15.

There is not one person that has not felt like they were drowning in a flood of circumstances, it seems like there are so many at times and there is no life preserver to be found. Believe it or not, God wants us to go to Him and tell Him how we feel. Let me tell you, when you let go of your pride and honestly talk to God about how you feel He speaks to you, not only does He tell you that everything will work out, He will also keep you a float until the floods subside. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

So many people are ignorant to the fact that the people of the Old Testament had to look to Jesus for their salvation as well. Oh, they had to give animal sacrifices to atone for their sins, but unless they believed in Christ, known as the Messiah, those sacrifices would have done them no good, they would have been offered in vain. Only those who believe in the redemption of their souls through Christ will be saved. David knew this and he even knew about the book of life. “Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.” - Psalm 69:18,27-32.

There is only one way to be redeemed and that is through Jesus Christ, those who receive Christ get life and their names written in the book of the living, which means eternal life with God. Jesus is the sacrifice that pleases God better than an animal sacrifice and gives life to those who humbly seek Him. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” - Revelation 21:7,8,27.

David longs for God to free him from his enemies, he just wishes they could feel as bad as he feels. “Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying.” - Psalm 70:1-5.

David prays that he might never be made ashamed of his dependence upon God. “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” - Psalm 71:1-4,19-21.

Those who live a life of confidence in God and continually resort to Him by faith and prayer will find comfort through their storms as well as an end to them more quickly. Keep in mind that God often allows the storms of life to hang around for a little bit, which seems like forever sometimes, but they do not last. You know, God sees one year as a thousand and sometimes it can sure feel like it through the storms, but something amazing happens as we trust God through them, others get saved, our faith in God increases as well as our dependency of Him, and we receive His promises. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” -2 Peter 3:8,9,13,14.

Today's Prayer: God, It sure feels like the rain never stops pouring on me and I am neck deep in the flood. I know that You will keep me afloat, but it is so hard. Lord, help me to increase my faith and dependence upon You and let me not drown in the midst of my circumstances. Give me Your strength, lift me up and keep me calm, give me the patience to stay afloat and give me comfort while I weather the storm. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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