“Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 (ESV)

Last week, I took my toddler daughter, Kierstyn, out for a walk in our neighborhood. It was raining a little bit, so we bundled up in jackets before we left.

For the first 10 minutes, I was thinking how refreshing the light rain was. I felt so prepared to have thought to put on jackets so we didn’t even notice the little bit of wetness coming down from the sky.

But then the floodgates of heaven opened up on us, and it started pouring rain!

We were about three-quarters of a mile away from home. The wind was whipping around us, blowing the rain, making visibility and pushing a stroller really difficult. Within a few minutes, we were both soaked, and Kierstyn started crying.

I wasn’t sure what to do, just that I needed to get back home and get her dry ASAP. But despite pushing the stroller as quickly as I could, I was not making much progress at all because of the wind and the rain.

In the middle of her crying, us getting soaked and me feeling so bad about taking her out on a walk, I saw a car approaching us on the road. I thought, The person driving this vehicle is probably wondering who this crazy lady is taking a toddler out for a walk in a thunderstorm.

As the car came closer, my embarrassment turned to enthusiasm and relief as I realized it was our car, and my husband was the driver! I hadn’t even thought to try to text him (much less get my phone to work in the pouring rain), but he had realized we were out in the storm and had come to rescue us.

Not only was it one of the most romantic gestures ever — especially in my cold and soaked state! — but it was such a picture to me of my heavenly Father. How often God rescues me before I even think to ask for help or even know I need help!

As Isaiah 65:24 says, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” And Psalm 18:19 says, “he rescued me, because he delighted in me” (ESV). God is always working on our behalf — often behind the scenes in ways we don’t even see or know!

When I was out there in the middle of an unexpected storm, rain-soaked and wondering what to do, my husband was at home realizing I needed help. He didn’t just think about my needing help; he got in the car and drove to physically help me.

Our heavenly Father is the same way. He not only sees us in our distress and discouragement, but He is faithful to send the physical, spiritual and emotional help we need, just when we need it.

If you are going through a storm right now, hear this encouragement: You are not alone. God is with you in the storm. Look to Him for what you need. Cry out to Him; ask Him for help as Psalm 50:15 instructs:

“… call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (ESV).

Our heavenly Father is a faithful, trustworthy Deliverer. And even on the stormy days, He is working on our behalf to watch out for us, carry us and rescue us.

Lord, help me to look to You instead of trying to white-knuckle through life on my own. Let me constantly remember — especially when the unexpected storms come up — that You are my Helper and my Rescuer. Thank You that I can rest in You and rely upon You and that You will be faithful, even on the dark and stormy days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (ESV)

What storms are you facing or weathering in your life right now? Are you looking to Jesus as your Rescuer, or are you trying to push through on your own?

How would it change things for you to stop relying on your own strength and rest fully in God as your Deliverer? Share with us in the comments!

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