God Still Calms Storms

I don’t have to ask you if there are storms in your life. In this kind of world, storms will come, both the natural and the spiritual. Thankfully, God allows storms that are necessary to build our faith and strengthen our walk with Him. Those kinds of storms, we do not like. But, God allows them anyway.  For just as “He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves; He is the same God who, “calmed the storm to a whisper  and stilled the waves” (Psalm 107: 25, 29).

One main problem with us is that we can hardly wait for the day when God will calm our storms. We wish the day would come right away, right now, this minute, but storms natural or spiritual don’t work that way.

Sometimes a storm has to fulfill what it came to fulfill. Sometimes a storm must empty its cup of wrath before it leaves. It has to run its course. During the flood, as much as Noah hated been cooped up in the ark, he had to wait as long as was necessary for God to complete His work. The storm was not about Noah, but He was right in the middle of it. Some of our storms are like that too. We witness our loved ones endure sickness, hardships and struggle. Especially when we live with them, we also endure their storms.  There are storms that just have to complete the course in our life. Until then, we can do nothing about it but brace ourselves like Noah, trust, hope and wait. If your storm has been going on for a long time, God has something to fulfill. Remember the woman with the issue of blood. For 12 years she struggled, but one day her deliverance came.  Today, her story stands as a testament of great faith.

Storms are sometimes short-lived. Many times we hear of a hurricane heading our way but died out at sea. Sometimes, we also encounter temporary storms. The disciples were on a boat; the storm came and they cried out to Jesus. “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”  Jesus responded urgently. He got up right away and attended to the storm. Sometimes, God wants to get our attention, get us on our knees crying out to Him. Sometimes, He wants to remind us that He is in control. He may use a quick storm to reveal His power, teach us a lesson, and to help us fully recognize that He is master of the winds and the waves.

Sometimes storms come as tests. Matthew chapter 14 tells us that “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd” (vs. 22). Therefore, Peter and some of the other disciples were in a boat “buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it” (vs. 24).  Here it seems as if Jesus sent them into the storm. They were out on the sea because of a direct command that they obeyed. As we analyze the story, we will see that at the time of the storm, Jesus did a few things. First, He showed up on the scene of the storm. Next, He made known His presence. Then, He asked Peter to exercise his faith and venture into the storm. Peter tried and failed, and then “the wind died down;” the storm ended.  Beware! The storm you may be going through may just be a test in your life.  If God has sent you on a mission, tests will come. However, He will do for you exactly what He did for the disciples. He will show up, all you have to do is acknowledge Him and step out in faith, keeping your eyes on Him alone.

Whichever category you fall in, know that God has a purpose to fulfill in your storm. Still, somethings impress me about these three circumstances. And, I would hope that you may acquire the same taste of hope and praise in your storm. The first is that storms MUST come to an end. The flood in Noah’s days came to an end eventually and both storms out in the sea came to an end. Secondly, at the end of the storm, the men worshiped. “Noah built an altar to the Lord and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it” (Genesis 8: 20). As for the disciples, when Jesus told the waves, “Quiet! Be Still” ( Mark 4: 39),  “the men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Matthew 8: 27).  When Jesus walked on water, “those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God,’ ” (Matthew 14: 32).

Storms will come, especially the ones we don’t like. However, God promises that, “the righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34: 19).  Therefore, know that the storm MUST end, and when it does, worship.

Be open to the fact that God wants to teach you something through your storm and don’t overlook the lesson. Be grateful that God wants to accomplish something in your life, and give Him the praises. Be encouraged that the God we serve still calms storms, and one day, he will stand up, rebuke the storm in your life and say, “Peace, be still.”

Psalm 34: 22, “The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.”