The storm

 

Matthew 8:23-27
tells us about a  day on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus and His disciples were hit by a storm.  Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat and the men were terrified.

Jesus had shown His power over evil spirits, disease, death and nature.  He had healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, provided food and turned water into wine. Jesus was able to control anything -  any situation that they faced, and His disciples were afraid of a storm?

Hey, wait a minute!

That storm was absolutely huge!  It wasn’t just an ordinary squall.  The wind and the waves roared!  They covered the boat!  The boat was far from any harbor.  These guys were in the middle of something they had never faced before, and they were afraid.

Friend, are you in the middle of something you’ve never faced before?  Are the waves of pain, of loss, or betrayal covering the boat of your life?  Are you afraid?  Are you discouraged?  Do you feel abandoned?  Are you out of options?

Jesus understands the storm.  He sees the shoreline.  He sees beyond the clouds and the rain.

There’s a song I used to sing when my voice was young.  It was one by my favorite female singers, Dottie Rambo.  It speaks of a storm and a prayer -

Soul be calm, rest in His keeping.
Never fear, He has control.
He rides the wind and
He’ll chart the vessel
and calm the billows that toss me so.

Those words came from a heart that had endured much pain and trouble.  Dottie could sing it with conviction, and I would love to be able to say that I always believe them and trust with all my heart.  But still I've found that even in my fear, God always calms the storm. 

And Jesus said to the storm “Peace be still” Mark 4:39  and the wind died down and it was  completely calm. 

Who are you?

  

 I'm told in the scriptures that we will know you by the works of your hand - by creation.  So as I look around I ask -

Are you like the mountains 

beguiling my eye? 

With silver-clad peaks piercing the sky? 

Are you like those mountains - untouchably high?

 

Are you like the valleys 

catching the snow

            the keepers of water for life down below?

 

Are you like the valleys - with life giving flow?

 

Are you like the river which grows in its quest 

seaward and downward 

from east and from west?

Are you like the river - never at rest?

 

Are you like the flower, the grass and the tree,

green growing home for the bird and the bee?

Are you like them all - a haven for me?

 

Oh God of the mountain, the river and glade

Oh God of the raindrops, the sunshine and shade

Oh God of the flowers, the springtime and fall

Oh God of creation - are you like them all?

 

Too high to reach

Too deep to feel

Too grand to know if you are real.

 

But the scripture says,
Romans 1:20 (NIV) “ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
 
So I know and I believe.