The Tempest is Raging. Do Not Sleep.

Let us find consolation and comfort in this verse of Scripture before we proceed with our study

 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 (ESV)

Let me begin by saying that not all storms are sent or orchestrated by the enemy and that all the storms of life may vary, but they all have an end. The storms of life can vary by type, duration, and magnitude. For example, one woman, Hannah, faced the storm of barrenness over a long time period but it came to an end eventually.

Leah’s storm was that her husband hated her but she overcame in the end because God gave her favor.

For Joseph, his own storm was that he was hated by his brothers and sold into slavery in a strange land. But the storm had an expiry date and when the time came, he conquered and became the second in command in the land of Egypt.

Similarly, Mordecai faced a storm brought about by Haman; a storm that threatened to take his life and that of his people. Were it not for God’s divine intervention through Queen Esther, his uncle’s daughter, they all would have perished.

For the apostle Paul, his own storm was a thorn in the flesh which he referred to as a messenger of Satan. (2 Corinthians 12:7)

A common theme we will see in all the above examples is that God came through for each of these people. Jesus cares about the storms we face.

 I have listed some facts we should remember as we encounter the storms of life

1.    Jesus Cares About the Storms We Face

Jesus cares about the storms we face and He will guide us through them all, but we must be obedient when we hear His voice. We should not invite storms in our lives with the hope that God will get us through them. He is merciful, but just.

This brings to mind the story of the great storm in the Bible.

The storm was so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves, yet the great Master and Miracle-worker was silent; He was asleep. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.  And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?” Mathew 8:23-27 (ESV)

The Master, the Savior, who had performed numerous miracles was asleep. Is this the time to sleep? You wonder. Is this the time to be silent? You ask. But Jesus knows all about our struggles and He has promised that He will not leave us nor forsake us.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Is the boat of your life being swamped today? Is it the boat of your marriage, your job, your relationship with your son or daughter, your health, or your finance? Jesus can calm your storm.

Do you feel like you’re about to drown in the waves of the storm that has risen against you? Do you look around and see no sign that Master Jesus is on your case? Take heart, Master Jesus is near to all those who call upon Him and He never disappoints. He offers us peace in our stormy moments. His definition of peace may be different from yours or mine, but He never disappoints. He always comes through for His people, and if you’re His, do not doubt that He will come through for you, too.

What was really taking place in the boat? Jesus was in the boat as the storm raged. Yes, the storm was raging, but Jesus was in the boat. That’s a good thing, He was near even though He was asleep. It would have been worse if He wasn’t in the boat at all, but He was in the boat.

Is Jesus in your boat today? If He is, you can rest assured that your victory is certain. It’s only a matter of time. Jesus is near to all those who call on Him in the storms of life.  He isn’t oblivious to the storm you re battling right now.

Remember the Bible said the boat was being swamped by the waves. it was threatened with water and about to sink. With all that was happening- the force of the waves, the wind, the dark clouds, all that accompanies a storm, Jesus couldn’t have been oblivious to the raging storm. He was aware and He was in control. He knew nothing bad would happen and that’s why He took His time. My brothers and sisters let Jesus take his time with you. Do not try to rush the brush.

If you do not want to hear about Him in the boat, go to the three Hebrew boys thrown into the fiery furnace, Jesus became the fourth man in the fire. He didn’t show up when Nebuchadnezzar proudly ordered everyone to bow down to him. He didn’t show up when the Hebrew boys were being tied up. Neither did He show up when they were thrown into a fire that was so hot it killed the men who threw them into the furnace. (Daniel 3:20-26) Just when they were thrown into the fire, He joined them for all to see, especially the king who had ordered their demise. He became the fourth man in the fire. He performed wonders and did a new thing that everyone marveled. He is the on-time and in-time God, the ever present One.

How can we survive the storms of life?

!. Be resolute in your conviction and don’t be swayed by what is happening around you. The 3 Hebrew boys were resolute in their convictions despite facing the crisis of being thrown in the fiery furnace. They knew God had instructed them not to worship other gods besides Him. And they held onto their convictions in God without any certainty that God would help them and God came through for them.

When the king asked them to bow or else, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to him, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.  If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18 (ESV) They held on to their conviction and God came through for them. He will do the same for you if you, like the Hebrew boys, are resolute in your conviction.

2.    Practice singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God. I know this is the least appealing thing to do in a time of crisis, but it works wonders. While you sing or pray, your mind moves away from the storm and you receive sweet peace. The song writer says,

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,

     When sorry like sea billows roll,

Whatever my lot,

 Thou has taught me to say, “It is well with my soul.”

Paul and Silas used the key of praise to unlock the prison doors. About midnight Paul and Silas, shackled in the prison cell, continued praying and singing hymns to God while the other prisoners listened. I am sure the jailers listened as well. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. The men were freed through divine providence. (Acts 16: 25-26)

3.    Pray: Airing your mind to God will make you feel better. Talk to God, tell Him how anxious you are, and ask Him to help you. He admonishes us to rely on Him. He says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

4.    Find relevant Bible verses and meditate on them: This is another key to surviving the storms of life. Finding and meditating on relevant bible verses will help boost your faith to receive from God, because” faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

Here a are few to set you on your way:

·       The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him. (Nahum 1:7)

·       He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. (Psalm 91:4)

·       I will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. (Isaiah 4:6)

·       But I will sing of your strength; in the morning I will sing for your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 59:16)

·       I will lift up my eyes unto the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 121: 1,2)

5.    Believe: Finally, just believe that God is working it all out for your good and it shall be so. Belief in God is the foundation of our relationship with Him. It must involve our commitment and the belief that He exists; the acknowledgement of His existence. Belief in God is based on who He really is. Hebrew 11:6, cites, “Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists.”

Hold on to God and your relationship will grow and your love for Him will blossom. Hold on in faith even when He does not seem to be present. Believe in Him when things have a happy ending. Believe in Him when life is sad and difficult and the waves are threatening. Believe in Him when you do not understand why He allows bad things to happen. Believe in Him when events around you don’t seem to spare you or our loved ones from pain, suffering, and even death. Believe in God, especially when the storms of life are raging and the billows are tossing high. Remember this verse as you navigate through lives challenges and crucibles. Also, remember it when things are going satisfactorily and you have no need to worry.

“And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28