Meditation

Storms

In Matthew 8: 23-27, it relates how a great storm arose and starts to batter the boat that Jesus was asleep in. The disciples with him were so afraid that they woke him in a panic saying “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” The Lord is in the boat with you, do not fear. Have we let the spirit of God be silent in our lives that it seems like he is asleep when we are going through the storm? We need to wake up the spirit in our lives, not in panic but in praise; not in perilous thoughts but in prayerful psalms. “O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.” (Psalms 89: 8-9)

We are encompassed about by the raging storms of life – a world-wide pandemic, many have lost their jobs but still have bills to pay; some are laying in a hospital bed sick, in pain, knocking on heaven’s door but it not our time to go; some have no food and no shelter even though it is freezing cold outside; some have lost loved ones that were so dear and near to their hearts. Storms are raging in our lives. The question to us is, Where does our anchor lie? What is our foothold when the strong winds are blowing against us? A great hymn of the church says:

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

The great response to these questions that warms my heart and gives me assurance come in the chorus of that song

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll,

Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.

Is our anchor grounded in the Lord today? Is our foothold found in the word of God? Douglas Miller said in this song “The billows may roll, the breakers may dash; I shall not sway because He holds me fast. So dark the day, clouds in the sky, I know it’s alright ’cause Jesus is mine…My soul has been anchored in the Lord.”

Hebrews 6: 13-20 highlights the hope that we have in Christ Jesus that our anchor is firm and secure in him. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, (Heb. 6: 19-20a)

“Be not dismayed whate’er betide. God will take care of you. Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.” We know and believe that through these storms of life, God is present. He is awake and He is our sure and steadfast foothold that we can be secured in. Remember when Peter stepped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on the stormy sea, he did walk on water, above the storms. But he got distracted by the winds and the waves splashing around him that he took his eyes off Jesus and thus began to sink. He cried out Lord Help me. And Jesus stretched forth his hand of grace and mercy and saved him. If Peter had not cried out he would have drowned. The bible reminds us “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14). The interesting part of the story of Jesus walking on water was that when Jesus entered the boat, the storm that was raging died down and the seas became calm again. Right now, invite the Lord to come into the storm with you because when he enters or if you have the faith to walk on the water with Him, the storms will die down.

Paul, a prisoner on his way to trial, was on a ship that got caught in a storm. After a number of days of being battered by the storm, no food to eat, Paul turned and encouraged the sailors: “I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.” (Acts 27: 21). Sometimes we need to go through the storms of life to get rid of the weights that seem to confine use, restrict us or the things that we so deeply depend on. Just as God was in the storm with Paul, He is with us in these storms of life. Paul had to be attentive to the Spirit of God, so that he knew when the angel was speaking with him. We too have to be in tune with the Spirit to discern his leading in this time of trials and tribulations. Pray, praise, worship and meditate on God’s words.

The storm lasted for 14 days until they ran aground but all 276 people on board were saved. On the 14th day Paul took bread, broke it and gave praise and thanks to God which signaled to those around him that it would be okay. Likewise, we, as children of God we ought to be praising and thanking God in these uncertain times.

• The pandemic seems as if there is no ending – praise God.
• Stock markets are crashing – worship God.
• Bills are due and there is no job and no money – pray to God.
• Health is failing – talk to the Father.

God is the stronghold for our anchor. He is right there, listening, waiting for us to call on Him. Come to Him, seek Him, you will find the answer that you need to make it through the storms of life. Notice I said need and not want.

• We want the situation to end but God is say that you need more faith.
• We want the mountain to be lowered but God is saying you need more perseverance.
• We want it to be over and done with but God is saying we need more patience.
• We want sickness and death to disappear but God is saying we need more love and compassion.
• We want the storm to end but God is saying “yea though you walk through the valley of death, do not be afraid for I and with you” – lean and depend on me and not on your own understanding.”

Where is your anchor today? Where is your foothold? Is it grounded, firm and deep in the Savior’s love? Jesus is our rock that we can ground our anchor and find a foothold in during this storm of life.

May we find our stronghold as we dive into the words of Bible and the lyrics of the song.

Though the storms keep on raging in my life, And sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day. Still that hope that lies within is reassured, As I keep my eyes upon the distant shore I know, He’ll lead me safely to that blessed place He has prepared.

But if the storms don’t cease And if the winds keep on blowing My soul has been anchored in the Lord

By Douglas Miller