Sunday March 27, 2022
Till the Storm Passes By
As we have traveled along the fast-paced highways, interstates, and beltways, we have learned that there are basically only two true lanes: the slow lane and the passing lane (or the “get-out-of-my-way” lane). Most often we find ourselves happily plodding along in the slower lane as we allow speeding cars and trucks to pass by…usually with some muttered commentary from us.
Then there are those times when we find it necessary to pass those traveling at a speed that does not meet with our needs and desires. We dart from one lane to another, looking for the fastest, easiest way to our destination.
Our spiritual journey is much the same way. Sometimes we must allow certain things to pass by us as we travel in the slower lanes. Then we become impatient or frustrated with our slow pace and want to shift to a faster lane. But have you ever wondered if God has tucked us away in that slow lane for very specific reason? Maybe to teach us, or to protect us, or even to love on us.
I think of Noah. God tucked him and his family in the safety of the ark until the storm of His wrath subsided. Sometimes He wants us to wait until the storms and winds of this life pass by.
Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided. (Gen.8:1)
And then I remember David. He tucked himself away in the sweet refuge of God’s wings as he felt the weight of calamity come over him. God wants us to hide in the shadow of His wings until destruction passes by.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. (Ps.57:1)
And what of Solomon, the wisest man who has walked the earth (other than Jesus, of course!)? He made sure that his waiting for the storm to pass began with a firm foundation. So must we; the righteous of God must wait on the sure foundation until the whirlwind passes by. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of righteous)
When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation. (Pro.10:25)
Now not all things that pass us are meant for our destruction. In fact, the Bible speaks of wonderful things that pass before us for our good and for blessing. God Himself passes before us to heal us (Ex.12:13). All of His good promises have come to pass (Josh.21:45). His beautiful goodness passes before us (Ex.33:19). But we still need to wait on them to pass so that they can go before us!
But what about those times when nothing passes…that moment when there is no one passing another, when both cars are side by side traveling together in the same direction. These are the times that we need Jesus beside us setting the pace. The great hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, said it this way:
“Pass me not, O gentle Savior. Hear my humble cry. While others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.”
