Nahum 1:3 ”…the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.“
Living in Florida all my life, I’ve been pretty accustomed to storms. Thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes. Hurricanes especially, are feared without a doubt, but they are normal to us Floridians. Especially category 1-3’s. (Cat. 1 is the weakest on the Saffir-Simpson scale, whereas Category 5 is a deadly storm with very high winds.) A Category 4 is when you begin to panic.
I recall as an 11 year-old boy, Hurricane Charley in 2004, which was a deadly Cat. 4 with sustained winds of 150 mph. It slowly crept its way over my hometown on Friday, the 13th of August. This storm took 34 lives total, and devastated many parts of Florida as it was recorded as one of the strongest hurricanes to ever hit the United States. I remember seeing the 13 mile wide eye of the storm literally pass through the sky from the back window of my sister’s home. I also recall the damage this storm caused, such as our church steeple being ripped from its foundation and snapped into 3 pieces. Our steel-beamed football scoreboard bent completely backwards touching the grass. Our church campground looked like a bomb went off. Our school cafeteria roof was gone. I also remember the 3 more major hurricanes that soon followed.
But I also remember partnering up with my brothers and sisters in Christ to clean up the messes after the storm had passed. Men, women, children of the church coming together to help one another. I recall sitting in our dark church building with only sunlight shining through, as the people of our church were giving thanks and praise to the Lord after their houses were torn apart and flooded.
Why was this? Because we all knew one thing – God was still in control. There’s not a storm in this life that you’ll endure that has not first been approved by God. As intimidating as a storm may appear, just remember that the walls of swirling black clouds with the lightning and the winds and the rain…is just the dust on the feet of our Almighty God. No matter how strong that storm may seem, God ALWAYS has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm.
The Bible also tells us in the same passage, verse 7: “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
So what should you do when the storms of life come? Trust in Him. Know that He is able, and He will take care of you just like he did for Joseph, just like Daniel, just like the disciples in the midst of their storm. The Bible encourages us to trust in Him.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5, 6)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28).
We must also always remember that every day we face in this life – good or bad – is God-made.
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24).
Following a devastating storm, our family grew stronger. Our faith grew stronger. Our church grew stronger. Our love for one another grew stronger. All because of the perfect storm that the Lord had made, that drew us together to lean on Him more.
Nathan Pitts | Youth Pastor
Riverland Baptist Church | Dunnellon, Florida
