BEWARE! Storm Ahead
Originally Posted Sunday, August 24, 2008
"...Be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery..."-Deuteronomy 6:12
We just experienced Tropical Storm Fay in our area. It was definitely a memorable experience, to say the least. Words cannot describe the things we saw: flooded homes, huge fallen trees, animals swimming down our driveway, guard rails barely visible above flooded roads, and swirling waters washing out roadways. There were definitely some scary moments for me, especially when my husband and brother had to go out to get me some medicine. I didn't want them to go, and I literally chewed up the insides of my cheeks from the anxiety of their being out in the storm. I prayed so hard that they would be safe, that they wouldn't take chances, that they would be home soon where I could see them and watch over them with my own eyes. Praise God, they made it home safely and had some unbelievable video footage of their journey.
Later, I thought about how easily I gave in to fear when the storm came and when things that were most dear to me were out of my direct care and control. I forgot how many times God has proven Himself faithful to watch over me and my loved ones during some of the most severe storms of life. God knows that we have short memories. He told the children of Israel to talk to their own children all day long about the deliverance God provided them from the bondage in Egypt, as they crossed the Red Sea on dry land, and as he gave them food, water, and shelter they could never have provided for themselves. He actually went so far as to tell them to write it down and post it on the doorframes of their homes, and tie symbols on their hands and foreheads! The KJV expresses it best when God says, "Beware lest thou forget the Lord."
BEWARE. That's a pretty strong warning, isn't it? But God knew how quickly we begin to fear, to depend on our own resources, to allow our fragile faith to falter when faced with one of life's storms if we do not keep visible reminders around us of God's past deliverance.I'm having surgery tomorrow. It's not what you might consider a complex, serious surgery, but I have something called malignant hyperthermia. Anytime I face anesthesia, it's a very serious thing. Also, I am having a lesion removed for biopsy, and I've been told that whatever is causing the growth of this diseased tissue could be affecting my lymph nodes. No one has said the word "cancer" to me, but I'm a pretty savvy patient, and I've been around enough health issues to know what's at stake here. I'll admit it...I'm a little anxious. But God says, "Remember all the times I've delivered you before? I did it in such a way that you would know it was Me and not anything you could have done. Be careful...don't forget what I've done." I have to leave it totally in the hands of my Shepherd to carry me through the storm that lies ahead.
Fay was no match for Him, and neither is any other literal or figurative storm I will encounter in my life. He can choose to calm the storm, or He can choose to calm his child. Either way, I'm safe in His strong arms. And you are too.
