Thick clouds billowed in from the southwest. Darkness churned the sky, taking the day by force. Rain pounded the earth. Overflowing rivers and streams devoured ancient ground. For days the rain fell, saturating the earth with heaven’s sorrow.
On Thursday, a shift began. Giant raindrops transformed into golf-ball-size snowflakes. The change was slow at first. The rain finally yielded to a persistent snowfall, infusing the landscape with a white veil. At times, the snow fell with such velocity, it became impossible to see the desolate places of winter around us.
The heavenly tug-of-war was great in our beloved mountains. Flooding rains. White-out conditions. Plummeting temperatures. Crashing sounds of breaking trees crumbling beneath the weight of winter’s onslaught. Beauty mixed with danger. Peace mixed with fear.
Then all the earth grew quiet.
We woke to a dazzling array of God’s glory. A blanket of fluffy alabaster concealed the ravages of the storm. A quiet calm settled upon the earth in breath-taking beauty.
How often our lives echo this imagery. How often our journey of faith encounters the pounding rains of sorrow, the blinding storms of defeat. And how often we fail to see the spiritual battle that ensues on our behalf in the heavenlies.
Consider this:Your trial comes billowing in, darkness churning through your spirit. Gut-wrenching sobs assail you. Tears gush from deep within as you cry out to the Lord. You can sense His Presence. You can feel the evidence of His comfort drawing near to your broken heart. The teardrops begin to yield to His sweet Holy Spirit. The closer you draw to Him, the more powerful His Presence. Soon your angst gives way to praise, “Bless the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me bless His Holy Name!”
But the intensity of the battle deepens.
The accuser of your soul sends the fiery darts of doubt and fear, tossing your faith into the gale-force winds of tribulation. The Lord whispers, “Child, you are Mine. Do not be afraid for I am with you.” Again, praise ushers forth from your lips, “You, O Lord, are the Great God, Maker of heaven and earth. You are my Rock, my refuge in the storm. I praise You, Lord.”
This time, the storm begins to subside – the battle over your spirit ends in victory for the Lord of Hosts. The enemy was no match for such a powerful God as He. Peace settles in. Your spirit grows quiet.
You fall into His everlasting arms and rest in His alabaster blanket of love.
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” ~ Psalm 18:1-3, NKJV
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page to be encouraged by Casting Crowns as they sing, “Praise You In The Storm”. Bless you!
Beautiful, Nan! I think as the Time draws nearer for His Return, we are feeling and seeing Him in a deeper more intimate way!!
Sending Hugs (in this -15 degrees/wind chill)!!!
Hey Mid! Thanks for stopping by. We have the same temps here and still a lot of snow-cover. I agree with you and I can see God's purpose in revealing Himself to us in this way. We MUST understand Who He is and recognize the shelter beneath His wings. God is so awesome! Ahava!
Nan! Oh my word! I loved the comparison you showed us today! Yes, the storms have billowed and raged around me…but with yours and God's help I've managed to praise my way through! Love you!
Thank you sweet Jamie. This came to me while we endured the huge snowstorm last week. It was easy to see the parallels to our spiritual journey. Can't wait to see you soon. Love you!
Nan, you bring calmness to the view of the storm. God allows all the seasons for all His reasons. This was beautiful. Thank You.
Yes He does Mary! There is eternal purpose in all things. I am so thankful that God has taught me this lesson. Thank you for stopping by girlfriend!
Loved the imagery you used to describe the storm. Breathtaking!
Thank you Cathy. When this snowstorm began descending on us last week, I felt a stirring in my spirit. I asked the Lord to show me the lesson and He did 🙂 Thank you for your kind words.
So beautifully written, Nan! I hope you realize what a wonderful writer you are. 🙂
Vonda, do you realize how much that means to me? Thank you for your encouraging words. I love you 🙂
I totally relate to what you said.
Yesterday I had a difficult day, after many days of sunshine and lots of love and hugs from the Lord and deep sharing with friends. And I was really ministered to by a song I heard… First on one radio, and then I changed the dial to avoid ads and there it was, playing on my other favorite radio.
The song says
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we have faith to believe
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise