There are many who believe God will always give His children a way around trouble, but I believe Scripture teaches something else. How many times in your life did a stormy trial get your attention, while you were sailing along minding your business without any regard for the Lord? And how many times have you found your most meaningful times of prayer were when you were backed up against a wall that seemed like it was about to fall on top of you?

Most of those who believe trials and tribulation are the work of Satan, also promote a wealth and prosperity gospel. That teaching promotes the lie that anyone who knows the Lord will never get sick nor have financial needs, but instead be rich in this world's goods and share it with wealth and prosperity preachers. A product of that heresy is the action of some who request prayer from us. They promise to donate money after God answers their prayer. I try to remind them God can't be bribed; neither can you pay Him off.

Job knew what it meant to see the storm from its epicenter. That is, he experienced the raging wing followed by a eerie temporary period of peace that meant the rest of the storm would blew through as well. From his place in that position of tribulation and heartache, Job heard God's reply to his earnest prayer. He answered Job from the storm, implying the storm was not over yet. To me, that indicates God was more powerful than the storm but also that the storm had a certain life that had to complete before any rescue attempt.

How many storms have you weathered in your life? While in the middle of it, did you hear God's voice? I guess that depends on whether you were listening for his voice, doesn't it? I can't tell you how many times I missed God's voice because I was too busy trying to brace for the storm and endure it with my own strength. Job learned that every storm has a purpose. It doesn't matter where a storm originates; God has the power to stop it and we must endure and listen for His voice.

Paul confirmed the reality of stormy periods in the life of a Christian when he wrote to the church in Corinth: "For our light and momentarily troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2Co 4:17) Paul believed the trouble we experience as believers is a necessarily part of redemption.

Reach out and embrace your trouble today. Thank God for it and prepare for it by His grace and power. Look up and don't forget to pray. Because if you hear a voice and you aren't paying attention, you might be tempted to believe it's the voice of the storm and not the voice of its Master.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru (Jb. 37:1-39:30 2 Co. 4:13-5:11 Ps. 44:8-26 Pr. 22:13 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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