Fortress in the storm

Watching the radar, we knew it was coming. Time to inventory TP, bread, milk, canned goods. The storm bled red all over the screen. Hunker down in our basement. Exhausting, stay-up-all-night fear. 

Immense interruption of normal life. Storms are chaotic, noise-filled, demanding constant attention and threatening our minds with imagined negative outcomes. 

David heard of a threatening storm, so he ran and hid. He’d be killed by Saul if he didn’t hunker down. 

His storm was a man’s pursuit; our storm today is a virus’s pursuit. The more they discover about the nature of this virus, the more it feels like a storm. The more life is challenged, the more we experience “storm.”

David penned many songs in his storms, like Psalm 59, as he hunkered inside. He begs God, Deliver me…protect me…save me (vv. 1-2). He tells God all of the horrific details throughout verses 1-15. But he keeps interrupting, with praise!

Praise Interruption: Today

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress (v. 9).

You are my protector, my strength, my all-powerful guard…today. 

This storm is scary, isolating, horrific, but I will sing of your strength (v. 16a).

We interrupt our storm-tossed thoughts to sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress (v. 17a).

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing!

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning (v. 16b), the God who shows me steadfast love (v. 17b).

In this raging storm, You have provided so much to many of us: home, Your Word, loved ones, technology, electricity, food, water, clothing, safety, bursting spring beauty. Just like an ancient fortress, You are surrounding us in a fortified place, filled with Your gifts. 

You always, always overflow our hearts with steadfast love in Christ (Rom. 5:8; Eph. 3:17-19, Rom. 8:35-39). You are our fortress.

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing!

Praise Interruption: Yesterday

For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress (v. 16b).

We can look back at so many times that He has protected us, carried us through storms. For me, it’s been in parenting, in school, at work, in grief, in illness, in financial challenge, in marriage. You have indeed been our fortress.

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,

Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!

Praise Interruption: Tomorrow

My God in his steadfast love will meet me (v. 10a).

You will meet me if this storm continues tomorrow because You are never changing. Your love is steadfast. And it will be tomorrow.

You are our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very-present and well-proved help in trouble (Ps. 46:1 AMPC). 

And that never changes!

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

Praise Explosion in the Storm

From age to age the same…and He must win the battle!

God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever!

***

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

What gifts has He given you in storms past? What gifts are yours today? What songs and Scriptures are your praise interruptions right now? Let’s sing them back to Him today!