Storms of Life

Faith...  God really seems to be stressing the importance of faith to me.  How much faith do I have?  How much faith do you have?  Sometimes, it feels like my life is a lot like Joseph's.  God has given me promises, but at times it feels like this waiting is causing my faith crumble...  How do I keep it from falling apart?  I just keep trusting; I keep practicing faithfulness - knowing that God WILL fulfill His promises to me!  When I feel like falling apart, I run into the arms of the Father, and He strengthens me!  Where do you turn when your faith is on the brink of demise?  Today, God has again shown me a man of GREAT FAITH.  Even through the many trials he faced, he never lost his trust, and God was faithful!   

Joseph was destined for greatness.  Yet, as we look back at his life, it sure didn't seem like it was ever going to happen.  Because Joseph's father favored him, his brothers were filled with jealousy.  Due to that jealousy, Joseph's brothers devised a plan to get rid of him.  He was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:12-36).  Yet even in the mist of these terrible circumstances, Joseph remained faithful and trusted God.  "The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master." (Genesis 39:2)  Yet again, Joseph was tested, as he was thrown into prison for false accusations against Pharaoh's wife.  Joseph still remained faithful!  "But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden." (Genesis 39:21)  "The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed." (Genesis 39:23b)  Wow!  Joseph had great faith, He choose to let God use him wherever he was.  Within the prison, God spoke through Joseph to the other prisoners by interpreting their dreams.  Joseph could have taken credit for those dreams, but instead he took all the focus off of himself and gave God the glory!  "And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.”"  (Genesis 40:8)  When the cup-bearer was released he neglected to tell Pharaoh of Joseph and what God had done through him for another two years!  Yet again, Joseph still trusted God and remained faithful to him!  Finally, when Pharaoh had dreams of his own, the cup-bearer remembered Joseph.  So, Pharaoh sent for Joseph to interpret his dreams.  God spoke through Joseph, and because of Joseph's faithfulness, he became the second most powerful man in all of Egypt!  "So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”" (Genesis 41:38-40)  

The lesson we can learn from Joseph is quite simple.  However, it is much easier said than done!  Our trials today are much different from what Joseph went through, but the principle of the matter is the same.  When life throws trials and tribulations your way, where do you turn?  How long can you withstand the storm?  It's easy to start out with faith, but as time keeps passing by and nothing seems to change, will your faith dwindle or will it remain strong?  Instead of Joseph growing despair - he faithfully obeyed God and did what was right!  We may not always see the effect that our faith has, but you can be absolutely CERTAIN that God will honor our faithfulness!  Joseph practiced a lifetime of trusting God, which gave him great faith!  Faith grows, as we use it, little by little getting stronger; much like weight lifting, the more we exercise it, the more it grows! 

Keep the FAITH, and be CERTAIN that God will  reward your faithfulness!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

 

"Praise you in this Storm" by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up againMy strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

   

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm