THERE ARE TWO TIMES

THERE ARE TWO TIMES
(I wrote this during the 1,000 year flood that hit the east coast in 2015)

We are still under a Flash Flood Alert in our area. Our neighborhood was spared a great deal of trouble. The reason this is so amazing to me is that my street floods with a heavy rain, when there is no storm event taking place. If normal circumstances had indicated what would happen, our neighborhood would have probably had flooding in some of the houses. Our house is no worse off than during a normal, heavy rain, but obviously there are untold numbers of people all over our region who have suffered great losses and others who still face losses in the aftermath.

As I reflect on this storm event I remember that there are TWO TIMES TO PRAISE GOD:

In the sunshine AND in the rain, or

In the daytime AND in the night watches, or

In the good times AND in the bad.

It should be easy to praise Him in the good times, but people think...
They obtained their blessings by their own skills or virtues, or

They think that they got lucky, or

They are ashamed to mention God's protection and provision while others suffer.
STILL, God deserves the glory for His unspeakable riches to us.

Of course, we should also praise Him in the bad times, because He does all things well, even if we don't understand His plan. Remember, God is not reactive, but ACTIVE. He has a plan, a long term plan. He has a plan that succeeds even when bad things seem to have the upper hand.

Romans 8:28
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Ephesians 5:20
(20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1 Thessalonians 5:18
(18) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

(10/5/15 dlg on fb)