Hazard Lights

Last year, on our way back from the east coast of Florida, my husband and I drove straight into a storm. Not a light drizzle. A full-fledged, rain-dumping, you-can-barely-see-the-road Florida storm.

As another lightning strike lit up the gray, rain-soaked sky, I glanced ahead and noticed something: the cars in front of us were driving with their hazard lights on.

Blinking lights so we could see them.
Blinking lights so we would slow down.
Hazard lights to remind us to be cautious—and maybe, in a small way, to remind us that we were in this together… and together, we were going to get through it.

My friend, maybe today you are caught in a soul-drenching storm that seems to have come out of nowhere. And you’re wondering how you’re going to get through it. You’re wondering how to safely proceed down the hazardous road in front of you.

In Psalms 25, we find King David caught in a storm of accusation and fear.
We don’t know exactly what started it, but we do know what David does:

He goes to God.
He turns on his “hazard lights.”
He begins his prayer like this in verse 1:
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.” (NIV)

In the face of fear and accusation, David starts by reminding himself of the core truth of his life: he lives in God’s presence. He places his whole life—his inner world and his outer circumstances—into God’s loving care. It’s the picture of a man caught in a storm who is choosing to trust God to see him through.

Whatever storm you are in today, my friend, slow down and go to God.

Start with prayer.
Turn on your hazard lights emotionally.
Proceed with both caution and faith.

Lift up your life, your situation, and your soul into the presence of God.

He will see you through to the other side.