04/23/2022
Sometimes we feel like we are surrounded by trouble and that everywhere we turn there is a problem brewing, an enemy preparing to harm us, or some form of suffering that has befallen us, and in such times it is easy to fall into despair by believing that there is nowhere safe for us to turn, and that there is no waiting rescue. However, as believers in God, and Jesus Christ we do have relief, and there is a calm at the center of every storm we find ourselves in… let me tell you about that calm. Let me tell you about Jesus.
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.”
Psalm 138:7 ESV
We will all experience a horrific storm at some point in our lives, and in the midst of it there will be many dangers. At such times our souls might feel weak, and our faith become faint. In these dire times of grey skies, hail, and wind so fierce that it strips the leaves from the trees, and life from our surroundings, we will be tempted to give up hope, but never fear because God hears our prayers, and though He might not lead us immediately out of the storm He will sustain us, and give us refuge in the calm at its eye… He gives us peace in Jesus Christ.
“And they 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?””
Matthew 8:25-27 ESV
Growing up I heard an expression that people uttered when seemingly endless trouble beset them, they would say “It’s just one thing after another”, and if they were not believers they might add an expletive to that phrase. This was an expression of frustration, of being out of control, and sometimes hopelessness, but if we truly believe in the promises of God, and have faith in the calm His Son Jesus brings, then we should be praising the Lord in the midst of our storms, and singing at the peak of the tempest.
“Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
Hebrews 13:15 ESV
Jesus not only calms our storms, but He is the calm within the storm. We see images of massive hurricanes spinning violently as they approach land, and although we prepare for their arrival we dread it. We know the power they bring, and the damage they will do, but there is an amazing truth we find in these storms… the wind grows more intense, and the destruction more complete as the eye of the storm approaches, until finally it reaches a howling crescendo in the eye wall… but at that moment, when all seems lost, there comes an amazing calm. Jesus is the eye of our life’s storms, and He gives us hope, strengthens our soul, and renews our spirit as we await the remainder of the storm to pass over us.
“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV
Today we might be buffeted by the outer bands of an arriving storm, perhaps we find ourselves somewhere within it, or are approaching the fierceness of its eye wall, but be reassured because our God has prepared a time of rest and replenishment for us within the worst of every storm, and He offers us this in the person of Jesus Christ. When all seems lost He will still the wind, and renew our hope and faith. Though life’s troubles might seem to be “one thing after another”, we are never alone, abandoned, or without the promise of Jesus… our calm in every storm… the Son of God.
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:15-17 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who is the calm in every storm, the silence before the howling tempest, and our hope in every crisis. Thank you for reassuring us of your presence during the worst of times, even when we are surrounded by a deafening wind, and a darkness that is so black that when we see a glint in the distance our spirits wonder if it could possibly be you, and we begin to doubt your rescue. Lord, replenish our hope, our faith, and our belief in the midst of such desperation. Let us step into the calm of your Son Jesus, and be renewed in our faith, and feel our spirit’s strength return in your presence. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us in the midst of every hardship, crisis, calamity, and storm. We praise you for the calm and reassurance of your Son Jesus who abides in us, even as we abide in Him. He is the eye of calm in us, and we are the storm He must tame in preparation for you. Hear our prayers Father, even those we shout above the wind. Hear the praises we sing to you from within life’s storms that surround us, and the sound of our worship that rises from everywhere we find ourselves. You are Merciful Abba, and know our hearts. You calm the winds when you feel us weakening, and give us strength to continue on. You wash us in the blood of your Son Jesus to remove every sin, see His perfection in us, and call us worthy. You have defeated death by His resurrection, and in your grace that flows through Him, you call us your children, and your friends. Give us shelter in life, and eternity with you in the face of death. We feel your boundless love in every circumstance, and long for you to feel ours forevermore.
Rich Forbes