Have you ever found yourself in that place? Have you ever found yourself stuck in one of life's storms, and no matter how hard you try, no matter what you do, it seems that you cannot make any headway? Well, we all have times like that! It may seem to you like the storm will never end and that there is no possible good that can come from what you are facing. Thankfully, however, there is some good news for us from the word of God. While the storms of life are never pleasant, they do produce certain benefits in our lives that we would do well to make note of our lives. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (Hebrews 12:11 KJV)
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters: these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep; for he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which litfteth up the waves thereof: They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths, their soul is melted because of trouble: they reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits end: Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses: He maketh the storm a calm; so that the waves thereof are still: Then they are glad, because they be quiet; so he bringeth them to their desired haven." (Psalms 107:23 KJV)
A poet once said:
No man is an island, entire of itself every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main if a clod be washed away by the sea, Africa is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were any man's diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls it tolls for thee.
The awesome power in a natural disaster manifests the magnificence of God. It reminds us that as humans we need God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." (Proverbs 1:7). The earthquakes in the book of Revelation call sinners to repentance, and warn those who deny Christ that judgment day is coming. (Revelation 6:16). The disciples of very existence. Of wanting to be safe in life's storm. In the midst of a threatening tempest at sea, Jesus responded to the cries of the terrified disciples and stilled the storm, whom the Greek text describes as "fearing with great fear." His first rebuke though directed at the wind and waves, is not his last. He rebuked His men saying: "Why are ye so timid? How is it that ye have no faith?" (Mark 4:36-39) He arose and rebuked the wind and the waves. To rebuke means, He literally took governmental authority over the atmospheric system. And it obeyed Him!
"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. And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?" They had seen the Lord's power, but had not yet grasped that He was Lord even of the very elements. Then they were in awe, and said: "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him? — Mark 4:37-40.
Sometimes, it is hard to see the blessings for the storm, isn't it? Sometimes it is hard to imagine the Lord bringing any good out of what you are going through. I don't know the nature of the storm you are facing, but I know the One Who still walks on the waves. I know that you will bring your need to Him; He will hear you and He will help you. Who knows, He might just show up this striding on your storm. If you need help from the wave walker, then this alter is open. Bring your need to Jesus and let Him have His way in your life. Will you do that right now?
