In the storm

     "And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep.  And they went and woke Him, saying, 'Save us, Lord; we are perishing.  And He said to them, 'Why are you afraid, O ye of little faith?'  Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, 'What sort of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey Him?'" (Mt.8:23-27)
     It's early morning, dark and quiet.  I can still hear the wind whistling outside, the rain lighter but still pounding a steady beat.  Hurricane Sandy, I know, is wreaking havoc at this very moment in the northeastern part of our nation.  O Lord, how I pray for protection and peace for all in her path.  Please weaken the wind and rain and help all those being affected by this fierce storm.  We have merely had a tiny taste of her fury--strong winds, suddenly cold temperatures, and relentless rain overnight.  But many right now are in the eye of the storm or experiencing the punishing power of raw nature unleashed.
      Father, You who can calm the winds and the waves, we pray You would calm Sandy's fury, calm frightened hearts, and calm the damage to life and property.  Might all in her path know that You are with them in this storm.  You are the God who came.  The God who entered into this world and this world's pain and difficulties and heartache.  You are with us in this storm.  And we praise You.
     That's my simple thanksgiving today.  To praise our Lord who is with us in the storms of life.  We can't understand the storms.  We simply know that You are in control and You are with us, no matter what we are enduring right now... or are about to endure.  For we will all go through storms.  We are either in one right now or we've just endured one or we are about to enter one.
     There will be storms.
     But there will also always be our Lord with us in those storms.
     Right in the rocking, swamped boat with us.  We are never ever alone.  The Savior is with us... and at just the right time, we will be able to say, "Then He arose and rebuked the winds... and there was great calm."  No, He doesn't always save us out of the storms.  Sometimes He does, praise His glorious Name.  But sometimes He saves us in the storms.  He is with us, sustaining and calming and teaching and guiding and empowering and loving us in the midst of the fiercest storms.  Winds still howling, seas seemingly about to overwhelm us, but yet "great calm" within our souls.
     Lord, we praise You in this storm, for we know that You are with us and for us... no matter what our eyes can or cannot see... no matter what we feel... no matter what others tell us.  You are with us and for us always.  Always.
     And You will get us safely home.
     Just have to close with a few words from a powerful song about storms by Casting Crowns:
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

     Might we praise You, today, Lord, in the midst of this storm.  Might Your Name be proclaimed with trust and joy and hope, for You are with us in this storm and for always and forever.  To God be the glory.