There is a storm in the Gulf of Mexico. It is that time of year. A tropical storm 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. Often many people are still “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. Storms that 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? The best 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.....
“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.” - Matthew 8:23-27
Look at the context. The storm was raging, and Jesus was sleeping. He was at peace. His disciples, understanding the natural danger they were in were panicked. 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.
As a Christian, your ability to face the storms that will come your way is a function of the strength of your 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 also 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 be prepared for the battle. Many of us put that off – that is until the storm comes. Or perhaps like so many people do here when a storm comes, you run! 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.
"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" - Psalm 27: 1-3
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. You might be in a storm right now - trust in Jesus. He is right there with you in the boat!
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
No comments:
Post a Comment