So close

A wee hours in the morning storm rumbled in the distance. I lay listening as it grew closer. Soon flashes of lightning lit up the edges of the curtains. Loud booms followed. And then, whoosh, rain pelted the still dark morning. I smiled and snuggled down.

Storms like these are comforting to me. For one who has always been in “control” (or thought I was), the weather was not something I could control. But I knew Who did. Living in the lightening capital of the USA I’ve experienced many thunderstorms. The fresh air that accompanies them, the quiet right after the storm – those are sweet moments and a reminder of our Mighty God.

That morning, after the storm, our walk along the water was still overcast. But as we turned to head back, a break in the clouds with a peak of blue sky and rays of sun casting down to the river lifted my head. A living picture of this verse: “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 BSB)

My fears have been heightened a bit this past week. My default ‘fix it’ mentality has fought to take over. And I’ve fought to stay close to the Lord. Hard to say which is winning at the moment, depends on the moment 🙂

Further along in Psalm 34 I’ve clung to: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (vs 18 NIV) He knows our hearts, how this sin-stained, broken world at times breaks us.

There will be times in earth life where the crushing seems too much. There will be times in life where pure joy accompanies our days. But there will never be a time in this life that our Jesus is far away. He is with us in all the ups, downs, and middles.

I know all too well that sometimes He seems far away. Like He forgot me. Like I’m lost and I don’t have GPS. We feel this way because we are human – He doesn’t condemn us for our doubts or worrying. But He has fixed it all – past tense. Whatever you’re going through, He’s got a great ending. Sometimes in the here and now and sometimes only when we enter our forever days.

Going back to verse 1 of Psalm 34, I invite you to join me: “I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak His praises.” (NLT) Always looking not to what we see, but what will eternally be. You were prayed for before you read this. Our Father has prayer warriors covering us that we often never know about. Let’s turn our fears to praise and let Him be so close.