19th March 2024
He calms the storm
…Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
Matthew 8:26 (NIV)
When the car came to a full stop, you could hear the wind howl and feel the car rock back and forth; it was an uncomfortable feeling. For the next few miles, it was very, very windy, but the wind eventually calmed down as we travelled on. The storms seem to be getting stronger over the last few years. Is it just my imagination? It has been one of those weeks of trial for the whole family, but I was reminded of a quote from Maya Angelou ‘Every storm runs out of rain!’ For the most part, you can also say, ‘This too shall pass.’ It is so easy to focus on the pain, fear, or discouragement, but this serves no other purpose than to keep you in prison where you are. We must move forward one step at a time, engaging in the freedom of Christ, living in the hope God gives, and lifting those around us; this must be our journey forward into God’s glorious light. It is the positives in our life that we must celebrate.
We tend to focus on our trials, and the trials of others, it comes naturally to us, but Jesus as well, experienced trials. He did not panic but trusted in the love and security of his Father and ours. When at sea the storm rose to threaten the security of the boat; Jesus lay asleep, while others panicked in fear for their lives (Matthew 8:23-27). They were told they were lacking in faith; yes, we all are. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). When we lack faith, or the courage to weather the storm, we need to turn to God for that strength. The disciples were correct to turn to God in their time of fear. Yet, they were still not convinced who Jesus was. They questioned among themselves what kind of man he was. We do not naturally trust right away; trust is something we build upon with time and experience. They would learn to trust Jesus, as he trusted in his Father.
There are many storms in our lives, they serve to shake our faith and turn our focus inward. Jesus comes to us in our time of need. Did the men possessed with demons in the Gadarenes (Matthew 8:28-34) call out to God for help? Did they even know how much help they needed? Did mankind know they needed rescue? Or did God in all his mercy reach our first? God’s love and mercy came first, a plan in progress before the fall of mankind (Ephesians 1:3-10). Now that is love! If I rely on my own powers, I will fall, but with God by our side, we may draw on his strength, his wisdom, and guidance.
Even Jesus has the support of the angels in Matthew 4:11 after his wilderness experience with the devil. In the garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46) Jesus prayed for the strength to do the Father’s will, going to his Father to calm his storm. We were not meant to go through our trials alone, God is there to give us guidance and support; protection from the arrows and attacks of the wicked one. When a child learns to walk, we hold them up until they can walk on their own. As God supports us, we grow stronger and more balanced. God will take our hand and calm our storms.
Prayer
Thank you, God, for always being by our side and loving us so deeply, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
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