When political leaders speak, of the military and other branches of a nations security agencies, they often do so with plenty of praise for these agencies. We are very aware that there are bad officers in these agencies, but out of a heart filled with gratitude for the history of service from these agencies, we offer our praises.
There is an odd story in the Bible about two missionaries, Paul and Silas, followers of Jesus. They had traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city in the district of Macedonia, northern Greece. In the course of their preaching, they offended influential people. As a result, they were severely beaten and thrown into jail.
Then the impossible happened – Acts 16:25-26 says: Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken… All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
Paul and Silas were not singing hymns because they were in chains; they sang in confidence that the storm around them will pass, and a good result will come out of it. How could they be so sure? Simple – countless numbers of faith people in the history of the Bible, have experienced storms and come out of them rejoicing.
The fact that life throws plenty of storms our way, is not news. The good news is that like Paul and Silas, we can pray and praise the One who has power to lift us out of any storm life throws at us. We praise not out of naivety, we praise in thankfulness for the many rescues in our own lives and the lives of others close to us.
The storm today will pass away, just like the storm of yesterday is gone. As we pray and praise Yahweh for his rescue yesterday, our rescue today, and from the storms of tomorrow, are scheduled to arrive just in time.
Praise be the Lord, Amen!
Jesus, our redeemer, healing the world... 