Page 17 of 365: Blessings in Disguise

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Storms will come, but Christ has already weathered them.

Everyday, we are faced with challenges. They can come in the form of direct problems (kinda hard exams, too much errands, etc.), but they can also come in the form of things not going your way. Take the family of Mike Wittmer for example. In his article in Our Daily Journey, Wittmer wrote that because of a storm, they had to delay their planned vacation. If I'm Mike, I would really not like it.

But think about it. The Lord could be speaking at these trials. In the case of the Wittmers, God wants them to be safe, so He's telling Mike to thwart their plans for the meantime. Maybe the Lord is telling us something while we're experiencing our own trials. To cut the long story short, Christ wants us to hold on to His plans. He will never harm us. In fact, we will prosper because of Him (Jeremiah 29:11). All He wants is for us to trust Him on why He's delaying our provisions, postponing our plans, or allowing the trials to come our way.

Back to the story of Mike Wittmer, God kept them safe by telling Mike not to push through with the vacation and move it to the next day. When he called the airline ticketing office for the decision, guess what he got: five round-trip tickets to a place of his choice! It's a simple evidence that trials are blessings in disguise! Just hold on to God's plans, because He has already overcome the world (John 16:33).

Read Psalm 104 and Matthew 6:25-34. 

God is Our Refuge

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As I am writing this, the mainland Southern Luzon is being devastated by thunderstorms due to the tropical cyclone Haikui (international name). Although the storm is outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it enhanced the southwest monsoon that is bringing rains to the Philippines. As of now, the provinces of Metro Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Rizal are tasting the wrath of the storm that will also wreak havoc in Taiwan and China.

De La Salle University as of this morning

Some people trying to bring a rubber boat to the other side of España Blvd.

Even the 2nd floor of the UST Hospital was drenched by the floodwater

Some areas have even been flooded at beyond-human-height depth.

Even athletes practicing for a future competition were not
spared by the monsoon rains.

And so is the North Luzon Expressway

Although we're affected here, I am confident God will not leave us alone in the storm. In fact, His Word to me today made my stormy day. Proverbs 30:5 says, "Every Word of God is flawless; He is a Shield to those who take refuge in Him." In this time, many are stranded, many others have their homes washed by the floodwater, yet I know the Lord will save us. He is our Solid Rock, the Safe Ground, the Shelter we need. Even King David wrote that "God is our Refuge and Strength, an EVER-PRESENT Help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)."

The Lord is always with us. He will never ever leave us in our current state. All He needs is for us to hold on to His promises. Continue to read the Bible. Pray to Him for protection, comfort, and provision. All He wants is to see us seeking Him at this stage. Let's continue to pray for the Philippines, read God's Word, and hold on to it.

By the way, the Lord will be even happier if we help our fellow countrymen. A prayer is one key tool, but you can also give money, beddings, new or used clothing, and food. You can call the GMA Operation Bayanihan at (02) 981-1950 or send cash donations to their Metrobank account with Account Number 3098510347 under GMA Kapuso Foundation, Inc. You can also donate through Dakila's Ride Rock Relief at (02) 435-4309 or through their Banco De Oro-Loyola Heights Berkeley Residences Branch savings account with Account Number 003570047800 under Dakila-Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism, Inc. For non-cash donations, you can bring them to their office at Unit 3A, VS1 Building, 34 Kalayaan Ave., Quezon City, Metro Manila. You can also donate to various Victory Christian Fellowship churches in Metro Manila. Click this link for more details.