By Mark Maher
“If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?” (Judges 6:13) God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3) Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. ” (John 15:9)
If all this is true, why do we go through the trials. Why do we go through loss and grief and adversity? Maybe it’s not till heaven that we can avoid the suffering of this world. We can have solace that God promises, “to wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)
So we cling to the promise that after every storm, there is a rainbow. If you look closely, you will find it. The rainbow reminds you of the beauty of life. It whispers of new beginnings. Colors signify to us that hope abounds. That something is on the other side of that rainbow even if I can’t see it yet.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) This verse is why we hold the course. Life will be lived out for his purpose, and my circumstances will be laid down for Christ. We have faith even when we can’t see it.
We have hope that He will provide “treasures in darkness” (Isaiah 45:3) These treasures are a deeper love, a deeper sense of community and connection, deeper empathy, a deeper relationship with Christ and much more. God has promised “to bestow on them a crown of beauty INSTEAD of ashes, the oil of joy INSTEAD of mourning, and a garment of praise INSTEAD of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the DISPLAY of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3)
We are the remnants of Christ. Here to stand firm, shine the light, be salt, unshaken, different, Holy Spirit filled, a servant, sacrificial, to be used by God in all circumstances.
Even the dark of the night eventually becomes the dawn. The sun always rises. New hope. The sun creeps over the horizon and hints to us that we get to try again. “The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose.” (Ecclesiastes 1:5)
“So they cried out to the Lord in their distress, and God brought them out safe from their desperate circumstances. God quieted the storm to a whisper; the sea’s waves were hushed. So they rejoiced because the waves had calmed down; then God led them to the harbor they were hoping for.” (Psalm 107: 28 – 30)
God is doing a work. He is changing us from the inside out. To become more like Him. To do life a different way. To lead with love and grow with grace. To abound in gratitude at every turn remembering who our true identity is found in.
So we can rest assured that God is with us in the upcoming season, but be prepared to be challenged. “I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Life’s not going to be easy, there will be many ups and downs. But there’s always a calm after the storm. It’s in the calm that we reflect on the presence of God while in the middle of the storm.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4) God’s presence is our anchor while amidst the tumultuous waves. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)
