Understanding The Storms that come in our Life
But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Jonah 1:4
But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. Acts 27:14-15
TWO STORMS
Two Different Times: One in the 9th century B.C. and one in the 1st century A.D. Two Servants of God: One Old Testament Prophet of God and one New Testament Apostle of Jesus Christ. Two Calls of Service: God called Jonah to preach to the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire and He called Paul to go preach to in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. Two Responses: one A.W.O.L. prophet who ran in disobedience and one humble apostle who obediently followed God’s call. Two Causes: One storm ordered by God to stop the running prophet. One ordered by the enemy to stop the Apostle in the advance of the Gospel. Two Consequences: one that left the rebellious prophet hopeless and without a message to those on board. And one that saw the obedient apostle who brought a message of hope to those aboard the ship. One Lord: who controls the wind and waves. And one very important question for you: In the storms of life, whose ship are you on, Jonah’s or Paul’s?
AND YET … ANOTHER STORM
And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:35-39
So why did the wind and waves beat against this ship? The disciples obediently followed Jesus on to the ship. They were right in the center of God’s will yet find themselves right in the center of the storm. Read Mark 5 to discover the reason. Jesus and the disciples were sailing right to an invasion of hell! Legion, bound by many demons and living among the graves, dead in his sin and enslaved by the enemy. They were on a mission to set him free! Sometimes storms are brought on by the enemy in order to stop you from doing God’s will. Just remember Master of the wind and waves is on board your ship!
“In 1874 Mary Baker was still grieving over the news that her beloved brother had passed away after suffering many months from a long and lingering illness. Out of her own experience of tragedy, she had learned that often times Christ stills the troubled heart rather than – or as much as – the troubled sea. And possibly the miracle of Jesus was in changing the frightened disciples, as much as changing the elements of nature.” And with that in mind she wrote this hymn:
Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness,
No shelter or help is nigh;
Carest Thou not that we perish?
How canst Thou lie asleep,
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?
Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today;
The depths of my sad heart are troubled
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul;
And I perish! I perish! dear Master
Oh, hasten, and take control.
The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will, Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,
Or demons or men, or whatever it be
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,
Peace, peace, be still!
As you face the wind and the waves, remember that God does care about you and He alone can give you a peace that passes understanding. I have experienced that, have you?
Your Friend
David Archer
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