Saturday Story Time – Jimbob and the Day After

The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7

Last weekend Pam and I went to southeast Georgia to help with recovery efforts from those impacted by Hurricane Helene. In this region the damage was not as intensive as the flooding of North Carolina, nor the wind and rain damage of Cedar Key Florida, but it was extensive. The path left miles and miles and miles of destruction of trees, homes, power lines from wind damage. This scene was repeated from the Florida coast all the way up to Tennessee.

We saw power company trucks traveling from as far away as Nevada to bring help. Relief organizations were already set up and putting tarps on homes and clearing debris with chainsaws. Neighbors were helping neighbors. We listened and prayed for many people. 

We had the opportunity to help our niece hand out food in her little town to people without power. The outpouring of help of diapers, formulas and food was greatly appreciated.

Starting next week, I am going back to help where I can. I may also go to help my family and others who were impacted in Florida by hurricane Milton.

Amidst all of the rubble, trauma and devastation, the sun rises the next morning and with it so does the questions.

• Why did this happen?
• Where was God? 
• If He is all powerful, couldn’t he have stopped it?
• Why does He allow all of this type of devastation?
• Why does their house survive and mine is damaged or destroyed?
• How do we begin rebuilding?

The cool breeze of the morning touches your face as the sun brings its warmth. It’s time to take your next step into the day after with the following promises still intact.

• God is good.
  • He is good before, during, and after the storm
  • The harm from our  broken world and people, does not nullify God as good.
• God is good who provides a stronghold in the day of trouble
  • Sometimes the stronghold is a physical place.
  • Sometimes the stronghold is emotional courage that comes by His abiding presence of peace.
  • There will always be a stronghold in the day of trouble…because our good God said so.
• God intimately knows those who take refuge in Him
  • God is closer to you than your next breath
  • To take refuge in God is to place hope and trust in Him.
  • Hope and trust are available during the storm and the next morning.

Some of your storms that you are walking through are not from a hurricane, tornado or fire. For some it is your family falling apart, for some it is your finances crumbling in your hand like sand, for others a health crisis is too big to see beyond the next moment…The Lord is good, He is a stronghold in YOUR day of trouble, He KNOWS those who take refuge (that is you by your name) in Him.

May the promise of this verse guide your steps and words as you walk through and out of your day of trouble.

Blessings

Love y’all