There is a storm in the Gulf of Mexico. It is that time of year. Tropical Storm Gordon is strengthening into a
hurricane and is headed for land and the people living in the communities on
the coast. It is an all too familiar
story. The people can’t change the storms
intensity or direction, all they can do is get ready to deal with the aftermath
of the storm. Here in Houston, many
people are “storm-shocked” from the last hurricane. Any storm at all brings on fear and
anxiety.
That is the way it is with the storms of life. They are sure to come. They will often have destructive power –
relationships – health – wealth. We need
to be prepared for them. We can
certainly pray that the storm will be averted, that the problem will go away,
but it doesn’t always happen. So what to do. Well, you need a plan. Jesus said (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.” Did you catch that? Our plan is faith in Jesus
and peace through Jesus. So long as you
are walking on this planet and have breath, you will be faced with storms, with
tribulation. Remember the story about Jesus and
the disciples in a boat.....
(Matthew 8:23-27)
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed
him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on
the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying,
"LORD, save us! We're going to drown!" He replied, "You of
little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds
and the waves, and it was completely calm.”
Did you catch that? The storm was raging and Jesus was sleeping. He was at peace. How is it that the disciples didn’t pick up
on that? Because they were focused on
the storm and their fear. Their lack of
ability to do anything about it. They
wanted Jesus to fix it. Had they truly
understood His sovereignty, perhaps they would have taken a nap as well.
Your ability to face the storms that will come your way is a
function of the strength of you faith.
Jesus said they lacked faith and asked them why they were so
afraid. That was a rhetorical question because
He knew their hearts and their faith. And
He knows ours and asks us the same question.
My old friend Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to mind. Trust God and not yourself. In the Army we said “You fight the way you
train.” In other words, you need to
prepare for the battle. Many of us put
that off – that is until the storm comes.
Then we want to know where God is – Oh, he is sleeping. It’s not a matter of God not caring, it is
the point that He is sovereign – the master of the seas. This is what King David wrote.
(Psalm 27: 1-3) “The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The
Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When
evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will
stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be
afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident”
Will there be consequences from the storm? Most likely. Can you survive it? Most certainly! That is if the Lord is your light and salvation you will.
CHARLEY
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