Our lives and plans have undoubtedly been greatly affected by the ongoing global pandemic. Many of us are feeling stressed out as we cope with the various changes and fallouts arising from this crisis. We worry about our work situation and health, while attending to the needs and demands of our families. The external crisis has created an inner storm within us.
We see these experiences echoed in Psalm 77:18-20 (NIV), “Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” The psalmist, Asaph, gives us three perspectives on how God leads as we sail into the storms of life.
God leads us through the storm. “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” Asaph looked to Israel’s exodus from Egypt as proof of the Lord’s grace and power. God is at the helm, and He is the Captain of the ship that will lead us through the storm. His way is holy (v. 13), although sometimes hidden (v. 19). While we can expect to get soaked by the rain and buffeted by the winds, we can trust Him to lead us through them.
God leads us in surprising ways. “…though your footprints were not seen(NIV)/a pathway no one knew was there(NLT).” As we respond in faith to His hidden pathways and in courage to step out of our comfort zones, God may open new opportunities that we have not considered. It could be a change in our vocation, a redirection in our calling or discovery of new skill sets to navigate through the storm. We are most assured of His guidance, “ along unfamiliar paths I will guide them…and make the rough places smooth.” – Isaiah 42:16
God leads us through His anointed spiritual leaders. “You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Asaph knew that the Lord was the Shepherd of Israel who appointed Moses, Aaron and David (cf. Psalm 78:70-72) to lead His flock. Today, God also appoints spiritual leaders to shepherd us. We need to seek godly counsel and prayer from our spiritual leaders as we face the storms in life. They offer us guidance, perspective and clarity for our muddled emotions.
Our God is sovereign, and He is fully in control over all that is happening in the world and in our lives. This storm will pass and there will be future storms in life. Although we do not fully understand, God is more than able to use the current storms in our lives to strengthen our faith and knowledge of Him. Our loving Father seeks to draw us closer so that we would grow in resilience, faith and in our worship of God.
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