Episode 327

TODAY’S READING:

It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Isaiah 4:6

 

Today we pray for Louisiana and all those in the path of Hurricane Ida. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate the aftermath of this horrific storm. May drive-through pathways open and communication to the impacted areas become possible very soon in the name of Jesus. 

 

Storms appear in our lives, literally and figuratively. Sometimes we can plan for them; other times, they surprise us and unexpectedly run havoc on our lives.

 

God’s grace will always be a shelter for us. He is a refuge and a hiding place from storms. He is there when we think we are alone, He is there when we need Him most, and He is there when we think we can handle it on our own – and no matter how many times we have to learn this lesson, we need Him at all times. 

 

I hate walking in the middle of the day; I find myself walking only at night once the sun is gone. You see, I live in Miami, and it’s still 90+ degrees outside every day. Sometimes the blaze of the sun is just too much to bear, and finding shelter is necessary during the day. There is something about the shade that just makes life more comfortable.

 

Jesus is that shade for us when things get HOT. Sometimes we get the news we weren’t expecting, sometimes we are pulled into rooms we weren’t ready for. Sometimes we are faced with conversations that put us in the quote on quote HOT SEAT. And while these situations are uncomfortable, we know we have a shelter we can run to. We have wisdom we can call upon, as we spoke about yesterday. We have a father we can confide in. We have a trinity we can trust.

 

Our prayer today should be focused on remembering we don’t have to do life alone. When faced with storms, we can confide in Him. We should also remember that no matter how hot things get, we have a hiding place. We have living water. We don’t have to dehydrate in today’s climate.

 

PRAYER

Jesus helps us. Sometimes that’s all we have. These days it seems like that’s all we have. So we ask for help. Help us in navigating the physical storms, help us in navigating the figurative storms. We pray for our brothers and sisters in the path of the hurricane. May you keep them safe, may you be present in the aftermath of its path. Lord, we pray for each other in this community. May you help us today, give us strength for today. We love you with everything in us; it is in your HOLY name that we pray, AMEN!