til the storm passes

There’s a faded childhood memory that I’m trying to revive this morning.  I’m 7, maybe 8 years old, sitting on the pew next to my Mammaw at the Ottumwa Baptist Temple.  She’s just passed out pieces of chewing gum to my sister and I, you know the kind that was square and pink and had juice in the center…

It is a hot summer Sunday evening, but the sanctuary is cool.   I don’t remember much else about the service, but my Pappaw is in the loft and the choir is singing just before the sermon.   My Aunt Brinda is playing the organ, I think and it seems as though my Uncle Larry is directing the choir…  maybe…

The old Mosie Lister song they are singing in four part harmony is the only thing that is clear as a bell in my memory.  I can hear the voices and instruments, like the service just happened yesterday.  I didn’t understand the song back then, not like I do now.

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me and there is no hiding place
Mid the crash of the thunder precious Lord hear my cry
Keep me safe til the storm passes by.

Till the storm passes over till the thunder sounds no more
Till the clouds roll forever from the sky
Hold me fast let me stand in the hollow of thy hand.
Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

Many times satan tells me there is no need to try
for there is no end of sorrow theres no hope by and by
But I know Thou art with me and tomorrow I’ll rise
Where the storms never darken the skies

When the long night has ended and the storms come no more
Let me stand in Thy pressence on that bright peaceful shore.
In that land where the tempest never comes Lord may I
Dwell with Thee till the storm passes by.

Ah.  The storm.  There have been several lately.  I won’t list them all – some are my own personal storms.  But, others close to me are going through difficult, even horrific struggles.  If it weren’t for the knowledge and truth behind this song, there would be no comfort.  no hope.  no peace.

I love these words from Psalm 57:

1 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,  for my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge  until destruction passes by.
² I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.
³ He will send from heaven and save me;

Because I know my Heavenly Father, I have no doubt that what He has promised is absolutely sure.  He will keep me in the hollow of His hand until the storm has passed.   And I look forward to the day which He has promised, with great hope and anticipation, when the final storm has passed and we are with Him forever.