Psalm 50:3 – Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.
Sounds pretty disruptive? God is all powerful and mighty. With a blink of an eye or a flick of a hand He can part seas, stop the sun, raise the dead, and dispel evil from His presence. But His love for His children is just as powerful and mighty.
When we call out to Him, He does not keep silent, even though at times we wonder if that isn’t so. But any loving parent will come running when they hear their child cry out in fear or hurt. Parents learn to distinguish between the squeals, the whines and the helps. God knows as well.
When we truly cry out to Him in prayer, God responds. He devours danger and evil like a wildfire, clearing the path to Him. Just as the Forest Service burns off the weeds that entangle the trees and thwarts their growth, so can God do for us.
Then, like a tempest, he swirls away the temptations, depression, anger and fear and holds His child in the calming eye of the storm. As we pray the slate is wiped clean like a giant leaf blower cleaning the debris form our path. The breath of God.
Lord, disrupt my life often. Help remove the things that can thwart my growth in you, and the debris that keeps me from being clean in Your presence. In the midst, remind me that You are in control and will never be silent to my pleas for help. Amen.