Psalm 93:4-5 – Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty! Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore. (ESV)

At the time of writing this in early March, I have been reeling with the shock of my sister-in-law's recent sudden, unexpected death that has left the family in a state of disbelief. She went to bed with a cold, never to get up. She was only 53 years old.

Added to my stress levels, we have suffered some storm damage to our fences. Uniquely, I am responsible for the repair and upkeep of the fences on both sides of the garden because we are on a corner. This is but small stuff in the greater scheme of things, but one of several calls on the finances at this time. Praise God, we can meet them.

Now in the interim, I have also had to arrange the travel for my mother-in-law who needs wheelchair and baggage assistance on our railways. It is a minefield of things to get wrong, or omit, and possibly mess up her travel. So, I feel the weight of responsibility, as we wait for the final resolution to the funeral arrangements, and my mother-in-law's impending stay for a few days around the funeral.

I have stuff to do, on top of the regular chores. Adding insult to injury, I am 65 at the weekend, but I find that I am booked on a course 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days, training to be a certified archery coach. So, I will see my family only at the end of the day, and I sense that my blood-pressure is way up!

Earlier in the day, on the way to school with Sophia, my youngest daughter, I prayed out to God to accept my sacrifice of praise. I didn't do it from being in a good place or out of a sense of duty, but rather from a recognition of what has gone before in our relationship, that it did not matter where I was just now; He was worthy of my praise because He is always worthy to be thanked, praised, and worshipped.

So, in the middle of my stress, driving to school, God dropped a small bomb of peace that just exploded inside me. It was as if He said, It's okay to be pressured! Despite the choppy waves around you, peace: Come with me and see the view from on top of the waves.

Now, nothing has changed to my situation, except that I am held, comforted from above.

So, do not allow the issues and tasks to be as a hill to climb, and do not give in to the temptation to be resentful, as I often am tempted. Instead, with me, call out to God in praise of His holy faithfulness in what has gone before, in the hope and expectancy that whatever is happening just now, He will meet you at your point of need today — right now — boom!

Prayer: Praise You, Lord, that we are never left on our own. We ask You to accept our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for Your goodness to us in the middle of the storm. No matter what the outcome, Lord, raise us up to see the situation from Your perspective. We bring an offering, such as it is, of our trust and faith that we are worth more to You than money and the sacrifice of animals on a thousand hills. Lord, in the storm, please grant a hand up to all who ask today, a visitation of the Holy Spirit, blessing. May Your inner-peace reign – boom! Jesus, we bow down and worship You, who came to reconcile all who seek Your inner touch and Your holy face. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Rod Marshall <roderickhenrymarshall@gmail.com>
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Send your feedback to the author