Finding God's Presence ~ Out Of The Whirlwind

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

Blue and I rounded a curve across from the meadow. Queen Anne's Lace and blue chicory dotted the field with God's abundant grace. A cold front was pushing towards our mountains from the north, bringing with it a stiff breeze, refreshing me with cool air from the hand of my Father.

Blue searched for critters whose scent wafted through the tall grass and wandered on the breeze. Patches of hay and dust lay across the country road, marking the frequent travels of area farmers. I was aware of the Lord's Presence - His sweet aroma, His warm embrace surrounding my troubled heart.

A brisk wind came from behind, stirring the grass and wildflowers along the road. I paused and watched. Several feet in front of me, a whirlwind formed. It scooped up the dust and hay. Dried pine needles joined in, swirling in its circular motion.

In the midst of my troubled thoughts the Lord reminded me of Job.

Job had been presenting his case - his arguments - before God. In Job 29:1-2, Job said, "Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me; When His lamp shone upon my head and when by His light I walked through darkness."

I had been doing the same thing: "Oh, that I could hit rewind and make this horrid attack on my marriage go away! Oh that my marriage could bask in the favor and blessing of the Lord once again."

In this passage and the verses that followed, Job was basically having a pity-party. His focus was on things lost, rather than the steady, constant, sovereign Presence of His God.

That's what I was doing.

"Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

"'Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurement? Surely you know! ... Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

"'Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb ... when I fixed My limit for it ... when I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop! ... Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place ... Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, "Here we are!"? Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?'" *

Yes, He is sovereign! Absolute. Majestic. Authoritative. King.

And He is El Roi, the God who sees me and knows all about it.

Just as the Lord reminded Job that nothing comes his way without first passing by the throne of grace, so He reminded me. The Lord is not blind to my anguish. He is not calloused towards my broken heart. His hands are not bound leaving me powerless. No, He is with me, fighting my battles for me, working everything together for my good.

And you know what else? God is no respecter of persons. What He is doing for me, He will do for you. 

The stiff breeze died down and along with it the whirlwind ceased its spinning. Dust settled back onto the pavement, but the lesson lingered. Like my thoughts, the pine needles and hay found a new place to rest.

My God is with me and He is in control.

*Job 38 

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Are you in a whirlwind? Maybe God is speaking. (Click to Tweet)

Do you question God's sovereignty over your circumstances? Maybe @NanJonesAuthor can help. (Click to Tweet)



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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page. I found a great song. It's "Every Good Gift" sung by Clayton Brooks, Worship Pastor of The Oaks Fellowship in Red Oak, Texas. I think you'll absolutely love it!