It’s Finally Friday…and I’m Pastor James St. John
The hotel where we were staying had an indoor pool, with a glass-paneled roof. So, in spite of the thunderstorm that was roaring and rumbling above us, with constant flashes of lightning, we stayed in the pool. Matthew was standing on the edge of the pool, trembling, while I stood chest high, trying to coax him into jumping.
“Trust me. I’ll catch you,” I kept saying, while he looked fearfully at the water.
I mentioned there was a storm raging above, right?
“I’m not going to let you sink, son, I promise.”
He continued to stand there…and I was getting a little frustrated. I looked to my wife. If memory serves me, she was sitting at the edge, encouraging him to jump.
The skies grew darker. The rumbling of the thunder was, literally, rattling the panes of glass above.
“I’m here, Matthew, just jump into my arms,” I implored.
He stood there, frozen in place.
I walked to the edge of the pool, where he stood. I was disappointed that he didn’t jump. Instead, he sat on the edge of the pool, where I took him into my arms and lowered him into the water.
The Lord is good,
Nahum 1:7-8 NRSV
a stronghold in a day of trouble;
he protects those who take refuge in him,
8 even in a rushing flood.
Have you ever stood frozen and afraid? I have. In the “rushing flood” of my circumstances, there have been many times when it has seemed that everything good in my life was about to be washed away. In that “day of trouble” I have collapsed under the weight of the burden, felt the sting of death, soaked my pillow with tears, and been consumed with hopelessness.
I am grateful that into those times, Jesus has whispered truths like Nahum 1:7-8 into my ears. Whether it has been the faithful witness of a pastor, teacher, or friend…or, the embrace of a faithful wife, I have found my feet and taken my stand here:
The Lord is good.
In those days of trouble, He is a stronghold. He is a shelter in the midst of the storm.
He is my place of protection, when I choose to seek refuge in Him.
When the flood is overwhelming…even to the point where all other security and strength is swept away, He is here, arms open, ready to lift me up.
In those times, when I have been unable to step, much less jump at His invitation, he has come to the edge of the water, taken me into His arms and carried me, again and again.
The Lord is good. His mercies endure, forever.
Amen.