This past week the clouds gathered, and the sky darkened, interrupted by periodic flashes of lightning. A storm was on its way, and in a matter of minutes, it unleashed rain, hail, wind, cracks of thunder, and flashes of lightning.

There is no getting around it. Storms will come, and sometimes they are unleashed in our lives. Personal storms come through unmet expectations and unfulfilled dreams. Sometimes clouds of darkness from illness and grief build in our hearts: disappointment, discouragement, disillusionment, and depression rain in our souls. But amid the storm—God is our stronghold!

Psalm 9:7-10 (ESV)
But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Storms never travel alone. God is always there with us. Our trust is in the One who sits enthroned forever. Our constant companion is our traveling refuge. God never ignores those who look to him for help. He never forsakes those who seek him.

God is a stronghold. He is sovereign overall. He will never forsake you. He will never forget you. Cry out to him! Tell him all about your situation. Tell him how you are feeling. Tell him your fears. God never leaves his children. When we remind ourselves of who God is and cry out for his help, we open our hearts to experience his presence. That’s what we were longing for all along.

It is stormy today, Lord. Discouragement saturates my soul like a steady rain from dark clouds. I can relate to the words “oppressed,” “trouble,” and “afflicted” in today’s psalm. So, I claim the promise of this psalm. I am seeking you; I know you will not forsake me. I am crying out to you; I know you have not forgotten me. I open my heart to you; help me experience your presence. Be my stronghold. In Jesus’ name. Amen.