A Shelter in the Time of Storm

(Bible quotes from NASB unless otherwise notes. Modifications added for emphasis.)

Storms. They come regularly irregularly. They are predictably unpredictable. They are inevitable, but when? They bring darkness and tumult, both to the landscape and to our “heart-scape.” Storms can be inundating, overwhelming, life threatening.

Storms. They came upon the disciples on the sea, challenging the structure of their fishing boat, no longer the trust-worthy, sea-worthy vessel of their familiar careers. Now it seemed so fragile, so vulnerable. Wet with sea and sweat, staggering with bailing buckets in hand, they hurled the sea back at itself by the gallon.

Then Jesus was sought, awakened. His men who He was mentoring in faith stood over Him with faces of fear. As an afterthought, they sought His help as a last resort. That is all He was waiting for. “Peace, Be still” He shouted at the wind and rain. And they were. Read all about it in Mark 4:35-41.

Jesus had to rebuke the storm in the atmosphere and the storm in the inner sphere of their hearts. Spiritually, the storm was all about faith. After all, God was having His way with the whirlwind.”

Nahum 1:3 NIV. The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.

A storm has been gathering in our country for some time now. Will we trust in our boat first? Or in our bucket secondly? Or will we, like the disciples, trust in the Savior in the storm only as a last resort? Understand that God is in control. Trust Him with all your heart as the first resort.

Storms are a God-controlled challenge to our faith. God wants to reveal your heart to yourself, and to reveal His heart to you in the process.

Faith is a way of seeing. We can look beyond, above the storm. There He is, fully in control, smiling as He whispers within, “Peace, My beloved. Be still and know that I a God.

As a child, I used to sing with the others, “With Christ in my vessel I can smile at the storm.” I’m singing it again. Be encouraged.