When Hurricane Katrina hit the US coast, Reverend Jones—a retired pastor—and his wife left their home and went to a shelter. The pastor’s daughter pleaded with him to come to Atlanta to stay with her, but the couple didn’t have any money to make the trip because the banks were closed.
After the storm passed, they returned to their home to get a few belongings, but were able to salvage only a few family photos that were floating in the water. As he took his father’s photo out of its frame so it could dry, $366 that his dad had hidden away decades before fell out. It was just enough for them to make the trip to Atlanta. Reverend Jones learned anew that he could always rely on Jesus in the midst of life’s storms.
One evening, Jesus instructed His disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35). A sudden and violent storm arose, a common occurrence at that time (Mark 4:37). Though the disciples had been aware that violent storms could flare up, they dripped as much with fear as with water from the powerful wind, rain, and waves. They woke Jesus from His sleep, accusing Him of being an uncaring and aloof Rabbi (Mark 4:38). Jesus stood up and spoke with heaven’s authority: “Silence! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). With those three words, He muzzled the squall of the storm and the shrieks of His disciples. He proved that He was the Lord of storms. The disciples learned to have more faith (Mark 4:40-41).
Every believer in Jesus will experience spontaneous and violent storms—persecution, financial reversal, illness, disappointment, and loneliness. But we don’t have to be afraid as those waves rock us, for Jesus is Lord of our storms. Let’s place our trust in the One who provides peace in the midst of them.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 1:1-22
More:
Read Psalm 93:4 and consider what it reveals about God and His power over the storms of life.
Next:
What storms are causing you to experience fear and anxiety? What truths about Jesus do you need to remember so that you can trust Him more fully?
ahumbleservant on May 2, 2014 at 1:24 am
just what i need right now.
it’s such reminders that puts the uneasiness and fears in me to a rest.
our storms and raging winds in life steers us in the direction that God sees beyond our limited sight.
Dear God, You comfort and guide me!
alli on May 2, 2014 at 2:32 am
Had a flood yesterday, felt like it was either judgement or a trial.God doesnt promise trials storms wont come. But a neighbor helped us so the disaster would not have been worse.Jesus knew exactly what was needed. So glad Hes always there
Gene on May 2, 2014 at 7:18 am
Financial pressures, raising teenagers, high stress job, long commute, searching for a new pastor at church, leadership discipline issues with local youth organization, weekly teaching commitment at church, temptations from an old relationship. Lord, I give it all to you today because I am afraid in the midst of these storms.
Tom Felten on May 2, 2014 at 8:54 am
Praying for you, Gene. May God give you all you need today as you face the challenges that are on your heart (Philippians 4:19).
Winn Collier on May 4, 2014 at 5:10 pm
Gene, I thank you for your prayer, for your honesty.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on May 2, 2014 at 8:43 am
It keeps me in awe that our Lord will either calm a storm or take us through a storm as only He can!
Tom Felten on May 2, 2014 at 8:55 am
Me too, Kathy!
gshafer11 on May 2, 2014 at 9:10 am
Thank you Jesus for providing a way when we don’t see it. $386 to go to Atlanta… Stillness and quiet to violent storms… Peace in the midst of life’s problems… Thank you for the safety and security You provide as we continue to trust in You… May our faith be strong to trust in You no matter how violent the storms of life become..
Tonster69 on May 2, 2014 at 10:06 am
Lord, it isn’t the “storm” that You send that bothers me, for there are many that I face, but it is the promise that You will walk me through each of them and sometimes even have to carry me through it and all this gives me the faith to face them with hope.
Winn Collier on May 4, 2014 at 5:11 pm
I love that this provision was so tangible. Sometimes it doesn’t go that way, and I’m so thankful for this reminder of the times when it does.