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Why do we go through storms?

It seems like for the past few weeks all we've heard about has been storms.  The United States has been hit hard by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and meteorologists are currently watching Jose to see what it's going to do.  These storms have caused many deaths and a tremendous amount of damage.  People have been glued to computers, phones, and the news to check on the both the anticipated track of these storms and the aftermath that they have left behind.  These storms are somewhat like our lives as it has been said that there are two kinds of people in this world; those in a storm, and those heading into a storm.

In Exodus 2:23-25, there was a group of people, the Israelites, who had been being oppressed by the Egyptian king for many days.  When he died, they groaned and cried out for help.  Their cry to help came up to God.  And He heard their groaning and remembered his promise to them.

Why were the Israelites, God's chosen people, being left to live in slavery for so long?  If God truly loved these people, why would He allow them to suffer for this long?  It doesn't make sense...or does it?

As I sit here watching the trees whip back and forth outside, and listen to the noises through the walls, I know what's causing the motions and sounds.  Even though I cant' see it, I know the wind is at work and present right now.  The same is true of God during this time for the Israelites and for us in our storms.  He is always directing our paths and working in our lives, even when we can't see Him.

So why were the Israelites left in captivity that long?  Well, if you continue on to Exodus 4:19, we read where the Lord said to Moses, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead."  Why did their storm last that long?  Because Moses, the man God had chosen and equipped to lead them out of Egypt to freedom would have been killed if he had returned to Egypt sooner.  God was at work!

Just because you're in a bad situation right now doesn't mean that God is not present or not working in your life, or that He doesn't love you.  God is so much wiser than we are and He knows all the plans that He has for you.  God hadn't abandoned the Israelites in their storms and He hasn't abandoned you.  Just do as they did, and cry out to God for help when you need Him.  He hears the prayers of His people and answers them.
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