Praise Him In The Storm

While You’re Waiting

In the year 2007, I heard a song by John Waller called ‘While I’m Waiting’. It was such a humble reminder to me that God’s time is not our time. This is one of the hardest things to understand and hang onto when we are in the midst of a storm in our life.

Using weather as an analogy, some storms can come in the form a wind that hits us so abruptly that it tosses us to and fro. We didn’t see it coming and we have no idea the direction from which it came. Some storms come in the form a downpour of rain. It feels as though the water is rising too fast and furious for us to possibly be able to survive. Some storms come in the form of a gentle snowfall that starts off simple enough, painless and manageable, then it just keeps falling and before we know it, we can see nothing but a blanket of white with no glimmer of life coming in the near future for the several feet of snow.

However it comes, a storm is a storm and it blows in, then leaves. You and I are designed (equipped) with a spirit, soul, and body to be able to withstand the storm with God at our side. If we don’t understand our design and what God made us out of (in His like image), it is going to be a lot harder to ride it out. The Holy Bible has many scriptures in it to help us in times of trials (storms of life) and most Christians are familiar with at least a few; however, in the midst of the storm, many do not resonate with God’s timing versus our timing, the Kairos vs Chronos.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9

In the midst of a storm, it is imperative that we gather ourself, take captive our thoughts, and be able to discern what God is doing in us and through us. Is He refining with the Refiners fire? Is He preparing us for something greater? Is there a repentance from sin required? Whatever the case, we must know that He always has a plan and it is for His glory, for His kingdom to come, and His will to be done. Our job is to praise Him in the storm. Our job is to pray without ceasing and come in agreement with His perfect will for our life, not the devil’s will to steal, kill, and destroy us. If we do not resist the devil, he will not flee.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23

Equally important to Kairos vs Chronos time is understanding Yahweh’s Rhema word vs Logos word.

In Exodus 33:14, I AM told Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

This was the answer Moses received when he questioned I AM that I AM as to who He would send with him when he was commanded to gather the people and leave Sinai and go into the land promised–a land of milk and honey. The word that Moses received was a Rhema word-meaning he heard it directly from the Father. Moses had a relationship with Him and knew His voice.

A little backstory to help fill in the blanks:

Yahweh (I AM) was not happy with the idolatry of the Israelites at this time. A large portion of them had fallen into idol baal worship and had made ornaments (objects/jewelry) to wear that represented the golden calf they chose to serve. They knew Moses was away communing with Yahweh for their benefit and yet they grew impatient waiting for him to return. They had witnessed Yahweh’s mercies and miracles time and time again since their departure from Egypt and yet their hearts and minds were more focused on the their daily worries than resting in the assurance that Yahweh was right there with them during their wilderness experience. The devil had gained a foothold through their lack of faith. We can only imagine how difficult and trying this period of time was for a nation to have been taken out (set free) from hundreds of years of slavery and had to be solely dependent upon Yahweh for their very existence…yet He provided!

Moses and Joshua had just come down the mountain with the tablets of commandments for the people only to discover the horrific sin against God they had committed. He was devastated, sick, angry, confused, distraught beyond words. Then, to make it worse, he had to do the unthinkable. He had to make the command to have over 3,000 people killed by the sword that day. This was a man that had pleaded time and time again with Yahweh to spare the very same people who continually complained and murmured since the day they left Egypt. Not that day. A boundary had been crossed and there would be pleading with Yahweh.

Back to the scripture in Exodus 33:14. Yahweh told Moses that of those remaining, “ whoever has sinned againt Him, He will blot him out of the Book of Life” (Exodus 32:33). Think about the gravity of this for a moment. Another Rhema word. Poor Moses had to have the makings of PTSD if there was such a term back in the day. Yahweh then tells Moses to pack up and leave and that an angel will go before him and He will drive out the Canaanites, Amorties, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites. How much more can the people take? had to be his thought. Why? Because Yahweh was still furious and just threatened to wipe out anyone else who sins with their idolatry. It had to be one of those “scared straight” moments for the people who had become so stiff-necked with pride. But was it?

Tomorrow Is Not Promised

So Moses being the man he was and knowing I AM personally, asks Yahweh who will He send with him. He knew the journey would not be easy and it would require faith, focus, strength, and determination like never before. I AM says, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

My beloved, we are in a season where the storms are coming one after another for many across the globe (some of which will be turbulence from the same storm for all). The birth pangs are getting closer and closer together. But know this! The devil is rushing Yahweh’s plan for the nations and is trying very hard to get ahead of His perfect time. In fact, in his self-deception, he has set linear time frames to accomplish his plan. Resistance against the devils plot is strong but must become stronger. As a follower of Yeshua, you have a choice to make. Are you going to let the storms defeat you or are you going to give your faith a kick in the seat and arise to overcome whatever it is you may have to endure or are in the midst of enduring. Yahweh’s timing is perfect and it looks nothing like our linear time here on earth. Don’t be like the Israelites who spent the hard times complaining and murmuring against Yahweh. Don’t be like those who grew impatient because they didn’t see instant gratification or miracles.  Don’t be deceived!

Be like the Israelites who took a stand with sword in hand (the Word of Yahweh), arose in faith and persevered against the plot of the enemy. They persevered through the hard times. We’re in this battle together and we are not alone. Yahweh’s Rhema word to Moses is His Logos word to us. If we stand with Him, His Presence is with us and will be with us even when we don’t understand His timing on things. The most important thing to remember in every storm, battle, and victory, is that they are spiritual battles first. Nothing make make landfall unless it’s been loosed in the heavens. This, my beloved, is where we have the most power.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you maybe able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:10-12

If you are going through a storm in your life and you don’t know the Lord Jesus nor have made him your king and savior, I beseech you today to stop right now and invite Him to come into your heart along with the Holy Spirit of Truth. Ask forgiveness for your sins and idolatry and make a firm decision to believe in Him with all your heart and His Presence will be with you in all things.

Blessings of love, joy, and peace, in Jesus name.

Lyrics to John Waller’s Song ‘While I’m Waiting”

[Verse 1]
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently I will wait

[Pre-Chorus]
I will move ahead bold and confident
(I’ll be) Taking ev’ry step in obedience

[Chorus]
While I’m waiting I will serve You
While I’m waiting I will worship
While I’m waiting I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

[Verse 2]
I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully I will wait
Yes I will wait

[Chorus]
While I’m waiting I will serve You
While I’m waiting I will worship
While I’m waiting I will not faint

I will not faint

Scripture from NKJV