Sunday morning, I was getting ready for church at LifeHouse when I received a text from my friend. We had a church picnic planned for that afternoon and she was texting because her weather app showed bad news for the picnic.
After we talked, I stood there looking into the mirror, thinking, “How can the forecast from our weather apps be so different?” I asked her which app she used and I told her mine. It seemed important at the time to find that information out. Then we both verified that our apps had recently updated and the information was current. A mystery. Which one do we believe?
It struck me…the reality was that one of the apps was very wrong and one was very right. We wouldn’t know until 4PM.
With a ton of weather apps out there to download, is one more accurate than the others? How do you know which one is best?
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There have been so many spiritual applications and illustrations drawn simply from watching the weather. As we watch a beautiful sunset, we experience feelings of peace, hope, comfort. Storms often remind us of the tumultuous times we’ve gone through in life: their intensity, how quickly they approach, the destruction they can cause…I could go on. The weather is unpredictable just like our life stories.
Imagine if your weather app was wrong most of the time or even half of the time. Would you continue to use it?
It brings me to the purpose of my post…I often want to ask those who have built their life on anything other than God and His Word how reliable their source is.
We joke sometimes at how unreliable the news weather men and women are. I have told my husband if I ever need to change career paths, I could shoot to become a weather forecaster because apparently you don’t have to be accurate and you can still get paid. I’m joking here and do not mean to offend. But there’s actually a strong point to consider. Even the weather forecaster’s, with all of their technology are at the mercy of a higher power. I bet they are often surprised when they scientifically study and report the patterns of the weather and then are caught off guard when the weather changes.
Do you know there is only one person who is NEVER surprised by the weather? In fact, He controls it. Look at what the Lord says in the Bible in the following verses.
Leviticus 26:4 – I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit.
Jonah 1:4 – But the Lord hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart.
1 Samuel 12:18 – So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the Lord and of Samuel.
What’s my point? When it comes to life, perhaps you are banking on your feelings or “gut” to weather what may come your way. Maybe you’re relying on the media or certain political or social leaders. Maybe you have even passionately aligned yourself with a certain movement or cause.
In a world where the social climate is heated and wars are raging, where there is political unrest, intolerance and injustice; there are many different angles and perspectives on what’s really going on.
Whatever stand you might want to take, you can find someone who supports it.
Just to give you an example, watch an hour of CNN and then turn to FOX News and you will see what I mean. Overall, they hold quite apposing views on the issues at hand and when it comes down to it…one of those views will be very right and one will be very wrong.
Hebrews 16:19 says that because God is unchanging and doesn’t lie…we can put all our hope in Him and He will be an anchor for us when the weather gets rough. “This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.”
So maybe you’re wondering what happened this past Sunday…it didn’t rain. And so one of the apps was very wrong and one was very right.
Let me get to the point…in life, maybe you directly oppose the Bible and Christianity and the existence of a God who loves you. Maybe you don’t believe that He has a plan to save you from your sin and redeem you to Himself. Maybe you choose to believe the alternatives.
My question to you is, “What if you’re very wrong?” I’m glad there is a place I can go for life’s answers. Not only does the Lord tell us of His faithfulness in His Word, but He’s proven His faithfulness to me time and time again. He’s 100% trust worthy. As I was typing this morning, I found myself singing the words to an old familiar song. Because I know who makes the rain and calms the storm, I’m standing on Christ, the solid rock.
“My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874
1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Arlene Fordham - There’s no other Rock – He is always true to His Word.Thanks Tammy!