Hope in the Coming Storm

David gives us a clear picture of Jesus’ attitude in the face of the coming
storm. He speaks prophetically of Christ, saying, “I foresaw the Lord always
before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved” (Acts
2:25). The literal meaning here is, “I was always in his presence, beholding
his face.” David quoted Jesus as saying, “Therefore did my heart rejoice,
and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope” (2:26).

Here is the secret: Jesus kept the Father always before his face! Jesus
continually sought out secret places to be shut in with his Father. And it was
only after being in God’s presence that Christ came forth to minister, fully
persuaded that his Father was always with him. “He’s at my right hand—and
nothing on this earth can move me.” The Greek word for move here means
“agitated or shaken, disturbed.” Jesus was saying, “None of these
problems, evils or coming events can cast me down or shake my confidence. My
Father is in complete control.”

Beloved, if we’re going to face the coming storm, then we need to be prepared
so nothing disturbs our spirit. And the only way to do that is to spend time in
the Father’s presence beholding his face. We have to be shut in with him—on
our knees, practicing his presence, seeking him—until we’re thoroughly
persuaded he’s at our right hand.

God is clearly telling us, “Don’t be moved or agitated by anything you see.
Keep your eyes focused on me and you’ll retain your joy.” And, according to
David, Jesus testified, “Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
countenance” (Acts 2:28).

It’s as if Christ is telling us, “I faced everything you’re going to face
in the closing days of time. I had the same foreboding feelings, because I saw
the coming storm. But I ran into the presence of my Father, and he lifted all
my concerns. He showed me the outcome to it all. And in his presence I found
all the joy, hope and rest I would ever need—to the very end. I have peace
and joy because I’ve been with him.”

“My flesh shall rest in hope” (2:26).

DISCOURAGEMENT!!!

When we hurt, when we are lonely, afraid, and overwhelmed by circumstances

beyond our control—we quickly turn aside from our true source of peace and

victory and look to human ways and resources. How tragic! We know God is still

on the throne waiting for us to call on him. We know the answer to all our

needs is to be found alone with God, shut in with him. We will even confess to

our spiritual friends, "I know I need to pray! I know God has the answer! I

know I need to cry it all out in his presence!



It is discouragement of the worst kind to give in to fear and despair while

ignoring the majesty and faithfulness of a loving Father. God said to Israel,

"...I have talked with you from heaven…in all places where I record my name I

will come unto thee, and I will bless thee" (Exodus 20:22.24). But Israel

answered, "God hath forgotten to be merciful” (Psalm 10:11). "But Zion said,

The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me" (Isaiah 49:14).



Are you a discouraged Christian? You are if you ignore the Lord's majestic

promises and doubt that he means what he says! He promised, "Can a woman forget

her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?

Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee

upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me" (Isaiah

49:15-16).



You will be downcast if you go on carrying unnecessary burdens of guilt, fear,

loneliness, anxiety, and turmoil simply because you refuse to rest on the

Lord's great and precious promises.



God is not mocking his children when he promises, "And we know that all things

work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called

according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).



God is not lying when he promises, "The eyes of the Lord are upon the

righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry…. The righteous cry, and the

Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:15 and

17).



Let’s not become impatient and act according to our feelings. When we get

into trouble and cry out to God for mercy and help, all heaven goes into motion

on our behalf. Should the Lord let us see into the spiritual world to behold the

good things he is preparing for those who call on him and trust him, it would be

an incredible sight for our eyes.

PRAISING GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS

“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing
of thy righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).

We cannot deny God’s claim to praise him in all his excellencies, but we are
especially called to praise him for his goodness.

Note that the Psalmist insists on an abundance of praise in memory of the
Father’s goodness—they sang the Hebrew for abundant utterances: to gush out
like water rushing from a fountain.

In Psalm 107:8-9, David writes, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his
goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth
the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

This truth of praising God for his past goodness struck a cord in my heart and
I have been moved upon to do as David did. We are called upon to celebrate his
goodness.

David opens up the goodness he speaks of—God is inclined to use mercy, as he
sympathizes with our affliction and miseries. David borrowed from Exodus 34:6,
where God spoke to Moses: “The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The
Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth.”

Beloved, look back over the past and remember how good the Lord has been to
you. Remember his compassions that never failed to bring you through. I am
finding pleasure in praising God for all things, but especially for his
goodness. Not only for past goodness, but for those I see daily—the goodness
I see all around me now in the present.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6).