"Jesus, bring the hail."

1 Peter 4:12-13
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, SO THAT you may be overjoyed when HIS glory is revealed.


As I have pondered on this verse this morning, the song "Jesus Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me comes to mind. Walking through very hard times in the past, I have often raised my voice in the privacy of my home and car passionately singing every word of that song. I have pictured myself standing out in the pouring rain with my arms raised and open praising the Lord. However, this morning the question entered my thoughts, what if it begins to hail? Rain can be refreshing, but hail delivers painful and destructive blows. Will I still stand with my arms spread wide open to the Lord above praising Him for what His Word promises me, but what circumstances do not dictate?

As I watch someone I love struggle with heavy opposition and pray that it would come to an end, that question resonates within me. As I walked through my pain, I had support and encouragement from everyone that knew my circumstances. But, this someone I love is in a position of leadership and enduring unjustified hostility and abuse. This person is being slandered, misunderstood and persecuted...just to name a few. This person is just doing his/her job and being attacked!

I am angry about what is happening! So, I have reminded myself and that someone I love of the Lord's goal in our lives...

2 Peter 1:3-11
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, SO THAT through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. FOR THIS VERY REASON, MAKE EVERY EFFORT to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. FOR IF you possess these qualities in INCREASING MEASURE, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. BUT IF anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. THEREFORE, my brothers, BE ALL THE MORE EAGER to make your calling and election sure. FOR IF you do these things, you will never fall, and you WILL RECEIVE A RICH WELCOME INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
And...
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are ACHIEVING FOR US an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. SO, we fix our eyes NOT on what is SEEN, BUT on what is UNSEEN. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


This world we live in is NOT our permanent home! God has already prepared a place for His children that is our permanent home. Everything we go through here on earth He is using to bring us into an intimate relationship with Him and to prepare us for what He has planned for us in Heaven...HOME. The only way for these qualities to increase is to go through circumstances which cause us to cry out to Him...in which case He will respond! Out of that response, grows love and trust for our Heavenly Father, which births a desire to do what pleases Him. All of this coming from the power of the Holy Spirit!

The beauty of being a child of the King is to say..."Yes, Jesus, bring the hail too. Because I know you will not only protect me, but you will use it for my good and Your glory!"

Dear Lord,
Thank you for Your Word that provides direction, encouragement and hope. There are no accidents! Thank you for creating me and giving me a purpose in this life! Thank you for choosing me! Thank you for everything that I have gone through in my short life as it has served to draw me closer to You, my Creator! You have transformed me, Lord! You allowed me and put me in the fire that I would be refined! I am so incredibly grateful that You loved me so much that You did not leave me to my own devices. You allowed me to feel so utterly abandoned and alone for the very purpose that I would come to have an intimate relationship with You. And to learn beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am Yours and You love me!    In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!