Out of the Storm

Job 40:6 (NASB) says, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said,”
 
Most of us have at some point talked about “going through a storm”, referring to troubles, trials and tribulations of life. We always look at storms as a very bad thing, except for crazy people who are so fascinated by them that they love to chase them, such as tornadoes or hurricanes. But what we oftentimes fail to realize is God operates through storms. For example, when God met Moses atop Mount Sinai, He came in the form of storm with lightning and thunder (Exodus 19:16-25). Another example would be in the book of Revelation when an “angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake” (Revelation 8:5). James and John were known as the “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17), which is an awfully strong name to give “John the beloved”, but when you are carrying the glory of God, His presence through you can storm against sickness, sin and adversity! So, in other words, storms can be a terrible and scary thing, but truthfully, it is all about perspective!
 
In the case of Job, he was going through the greatest storm of his life. He lost everything he had, which included his children, possessions and livestock. He was covered in sores from head to toe. His own wife said, “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). His three friends, who sit in silence with Job while he mourned for 7 days, would begin to try to speak for God and accuse him rather than comfort or exhort him. While trying to figure out what God’s will was during this time, all of a sudden God spoke “out of the storm”. His voice came from the storm. Sometimes you have to go through storms in order to hear the voice of God and know what His will is for your life! When He spoke, Job knew exactly who it was! In obedience to God, once the sacrifice was prepared and Job prayed for and forgave his friends, he was healed of every pain in his body, God would restore family to him as he would have more children, and he would conclude his life with twice as many livestock as he had before. In other words, He received “double for his trouble!” 
 
It is easy to be blinded by the end of result of God’s blessing and favor when we are going through a storm, but just remember, God will speak directly out of the storm. It’s time to silence all of the voices around us and take the time necessary to listen to what God has to say right now! He is ready to speak if we are willing to listen.