40 days of prayer - day 9

40 Days of Prayer

God’s Presence in the Storms

Author: Dianna Keyes

Psalm 34:18 - "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

Isaiah 41:10 - "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Nahum 1:7 - "The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him."

If anyone had seen the protection of God, it was David. God’s hand had protected him in storm after storm, from the fields with his sheep, to protection from King Saul who was enraged that God had anointed him to take his place instead of his son. In Psalm 34, God had just delivered David from the Philistine king. David acknowledges that God is close to the brokenhearted and that He saves. In Psalm 34 (v4) David tells us, "I sought the Lord, and He heard, and He saved me from my fears.”

David knew from experience that God is active in the lives of those who love Him and pursue his righteousness, and that He is the one who can save us (v14-15; 17-21). Maybe that’s why in so many Psalms, David acknowledges that his role in being saved is to be still and watch God move. 

Isaiah 41 talks about how there are no other gods. They don’t live and act the way our God does.

They can’t be counted on for good or bad. But God says, "Don’t worry though! I’m here. I will strengthen you and I will be victorious for you." Does that sound like any of it depends on us? God doesn’t say, "I will make you mighty. You’ll be able to do anything by your strength and you’ll be victorious." He says, "I will give you strength. I will help you. I will be victorious and hold you up by my hand."

Nahum 1 is a book of prophecy against Nineveh. They were numerous and proud and evil. They had forgotten their repentance from Jonah’s day, or how God had spared them. God pronounced judgement on them. But then in the middle He promises that He is good to those who are in the midst of the storm who love Him. 

I don’t know about you, but it sounds a lot to me like God is promising to be both the fortress and the deliverer for His people. He doesnt just promise to be the safe place, he promises that He will give his people victory. His only request? To love him and seek after righteousness.

I could share plenty of anecdotal evidence that God is good, but I believe that if we all searched, we would find plenty of our own stories of kindnesses from Him.

What/Who do you trust in in times of distress? We want to say God, but are there things you’re holding back? God wants it all to be placed at His feet. Our finances - His victory. Our relationships - His victory. Our kids and marriages - His victory. Our jobs - His victory. If we give it all to Him in the good, we can trust that He will protect it all and be with us in the storms of life. He will give us victory. He will hold us up. Our only concern should be to seek Him and His righteousness.

Matthew 7:9-11  “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

Luke 12:22-31 "Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

Philippians 4:4-7 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

As an exercise: get comfortable sometime today. Survey your life. Think of one or two things that are really weighing on you. Tell God about them. Then visualize placing them at His feet. Use your hands and posture and pretend you’re holding that thing and literally go through the action of placing it at His feet. Then, whenever you start to worry about it, remind yourself that you gave it to him, apologize for picking it up and reaffirm your trust in His provision, and put it back. Try that for a few days. Pray about it. Maybe even devote some time that you might be fasting to bring that concern to God. And keep laying it down.

Do you know that He is present in that storm for you? Do you know that He will give you victory?

Prayer:

Dear God, I praise You for what I have now. I know You are a loving and merciful God, and You have promised that You are our safe place and our victory. You promise that You know our needs and, like a good parent, You will meet them.

Today, Lord, I want to rest in Your promises. Your word says that if I bring my anxieties to You with thanksgiving, that You will fill me with a peace that makes absolutely no sense. So here I am, laying it down. This thing is too heavy for me, this storm is too big. God, I confess that in the past, I have chosen to cling to this fear instead of clinging to You. You give us the victory, so today I’m going to put this in Your hands and allow You to hold me up with your Victorious hand. I’m sorry for all the times I’ve tried to rely on myself. I know You are my victory. Here I am to lay this down at Your feet. 

Lord, I want to seek Your righteousness in every decision I make, especially in this. Please help me to trust You to be victorious in this as I just seek the next step in Your will. I love you. Thank You for Your word and promises.In Your name I pray, Amen.