The Storm Reveals...

The latest chapter in the seemingly never ending severe storm season- a quick moving front that turned day to dark in a matter of mintues. Wind that broke trees and branches and left leaves on the street as a thick green carpet. Rain that turned our street into a swiftly running river. Hail marbles that bounced across roofs and sidewalks and windows. And then, a few minutes later, it was over.

We lost a big BIG branch from a silver maple, but we are rejoicing that it landed in the street, not hitting cars, powerlines, houses, or most

especially, people. We drove around our area of town later, and saw many downed trees and crushed property. We were blessed tonight.

Our good neighbors, a crew of guys eager to use their chainsaws, had the branch divided into sections and pulled to the sidewalk before we knew it. We have a lot of cleanup and hauling to do tomorrow, and if you need some firewood, just let us know.

Those old silver maples, so deceptive. Two inches of good healthy outside wood, and then, rot. Rotten to the core. Nasty, black, slimy bug filled rot. The brokeness of the branch exposes the darkness, and no one can deny that tree will not stand strong much longer.


But, then I think, is my core much different? I'm grateful for a promise of being made new; the words of the Lord that promise restoration for His people. "When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it. And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God." (Ezekiel 11:18-20)

And, in this season of so many storms, storms that make me anxious and leave work yet to do, I'm thankful for the sovereignty of God. The introductory line of Psalm 29 reads "The Voice of the Lord in the Storm." The beginning of the Psalm itself reminds us of His power-
Ascribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
The God of glory thunders,
The LORD is over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful,
The voice of the LORD is majestic.
The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
Yes, the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

That is the God I am trusting in.