Storm clouds gathering

By Tom Shanklin

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Proverbs 18:10, KJV).

In the world today, the storm clouds are not only looming, but the tempest is already here, affecting millions of lives. Even on the day of this writing, the nation of Nepal is reeling from a disastrous earthquake, a major city in the United States looks like a war zone from violent protests, and hundreds of bodies have been discovered in Nigeria, murdered by an Islamic terrorist group. It seems trouble is more the norm than the exception.

But none of this has caught God by surprise, and His hand is not too short to meet us and protect us in the midst of the storm.

Jesus predicted that we would have these problems before His return to this earth. One day He will return and establish peace and security, but before that time He warned that there would be tremendous upheaval in the earth, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” (Matthew 24:6-8, KJV).

The word “sorrows” is a translation of a Greek word meaning “birth pains.” Paul says it this way in the book of Romans, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” (Romans 8:22, KJV). Perhaps it would be accurate to say that the shifting of plates under the earth’s surface as well as the conflicts tearing apart nations are symptomatic of that groaning and travailing.

We are coming to a place where we just can’t live this way anymore. We need the birth of a new reality.

I have some experience in childbirth, having home delivered my three children.  But only a woman can understand “birth pains.” My wife tells me that if it were not for birth pains, there would likely be more children in the world. It’s starts slow, she says, contractions grabbing your gut and then it goes away for a time. Then it becomes more and intense, your belly gets hard while it’s trying to squish out seven pounds of flesh. When you can hardly bear it, then it lets up a bit. Then it starts again, but it seems to be stuck. You’re beside yourself. You can’t take it anymore. There’s nothing you can do. Then finally you say, “Ok it’s coming out.” Then you push really hard…really hard, and it comes out. It hurts! Birth hurts! Then there’s a new reality in the house.

Yes, we are living in the end of times…and it hurts. I don’t know how soon, but one day Jesus will return, gather His elect, and set this place in order. We are living in a time in history that is a preparation for His return. We must prepare ourselves to live in an age of conflict and turbulence.

Jesus said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matthew 24:13, 14, KJV). Our job in this season is to preach the Gospel of the kingdom in all the world for a witness, but in order to do so, we must first learn to endure.

Perhaps you are not facing a natural disaster or a war or rioting in your city, but it could be devastation in a relationship, finances, or your health. You may have lost a loved one and are experiencing loneliness and pain. Jesus told us that the storms of life will come to all of us. The question is, will your house stand? Are you ready to face the challenges of life? And where can you find the peace that will help you to stand in the time of trouble?

David knew something about trouble. From his writings in the Psalms we can see how he found the strength to go on. We see that he found a place of refuge in the storm and procured peace, protection, and security from the Mighty One of Israel.

“Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah” (Psalms 61:1-4, NKJV).

When we have problems, we need to find that “rock that is higher than I.” We need to come into His tabernacle. We need to come to Jesus personally and in reality. We need to experience His presence and power in a tangible way. Religious tradition won’t cut it. Empty ceremonies and ecclesiastical superficiality just won’t do. We need the Lord Himself to meet us in our hour of need. We need Him to be our strong tower.

And He will! We just need to come to Him! “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV).

Just one word from the lips of Jesus can calm your troubled soul. He can let you know that in spite of the difficulties, in spite of all the defeat and hopelessness that the devil would speak over you, there is a shelter in the storm, a strong tower that the enemy cannot penetrate, and that you are living in a kingdom which cannot be shaken.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:4-6, KJV).

The enemy may be camped all around your house. He may be sitting there like a ravenous bird, waiting for your demise so he can eat up your flesh. But Jesus says, “Sit down. Let’s do lunch. Let’s enjoy some fellowship.” He anoints your head with oil. Your cup runs over. Goodness and mercy is chasing you down, and you are dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.

Nothing, nothing, absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. Neither tribulation or distress or demon powers or the words of men. No, not even death can separate you from His love. There is no defeat for the Christian, not even in death.  “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57, KJV

So I want to encourage you today! Learn to find a shelter from the storm, under the shadow of the Almighty. Don’t live in the problem. Live in Jesus!  Find your peace and protection in His presence, then the things that come upon the earth or in your life will not defeat you. As He says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalms 91:1-2, KJV).

God has made a way for you to live in His presence though the death of His Son. Every obstacle has been removed and the door is open. Come and receive, in Jesus’ name. His name is a strong tower. Run inside…and be safe!

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