Saints In The Storm ( Build Fire-Part 3 )

#WEEKLYRECAPFICB

Our story of suffering may not be exactly the same as others. It may be lesser or perhaps greater. But it is during the storms of life that we are tempted to ask God why. Why Lord?

Some may even result in interpreting this as proof that God does not exist or that God does not love them, forgetting all the grace that they have been receiving until the storm came.

So what can we learn from the storms of life?

TWO THINGS ABOUT THE STORM OF LIFE:

• Affliction and suffering happen to everyone.

Not just to Christians; when Jesus was on the cross, there were two others suffering there as well. They suffer due to their sins, but in the middle of them is Jesus, our Redeemer who suffered for sinners.

Sinner, saints, and the Savior all experienced suffering.

Again, the Christian life does not promise a storm-free life but it does promise that in every storm God will never leave you nor forsake you!

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin . Hebrews 4:15

Tragedies, accidents, loss, and suffering are all part of life on this earth ravished by sin. “In this world, you will have tribulations,” (John 16:33).

Remember how our Lord suffered. He was even called the man of sorrows and one acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53).And if we are to follow Jesus and become like Him, then we are called to suffer too!

• Affliction and suffering have different types.

Three notable sufferings (storms) in the Bible: Jonah, Jesus, Paul. Jonah’s storm ended when he was thrown overboard. Jesus spoke to it and rebuked it. Paul and companions lost their ship in the storm. lessons in the storms of life:

1. When the storm is caused by disobedience or sin, we need to repent.

God caused the storm to get his attention, to awaken him.

Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the Lord’s presence.
4 But the Lord threw a great wind onto the sea, and such a great storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart. Jonah 1:3-4

When we are out of God’s will, He will use storms in the world to get our attention and redirect us to His plan and purpose. (discipline)

Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline; 12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12

Discipline is different from punishment:

• Punishment is eternal; discipline is temporary.
• Punishment is for sinners; discipline is for saints.
• Punishment is out of wrath; discipline is out of love.
• Punishment is later; discipline is now.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
– C.S. Lewis

Then the men were seized by a great fear and said to him, “What have you done?” The men knew he was fleeing from the Lord’s presence because he had told them. 11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you so that the sea will calm down for us?” For the sea was getting worse and worse. 12 He answered them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea so that it will calm down for you, for I know that I’m to blame for this great storm that is against you.” Jonah 1:10-12

2. When the storm is caused by the enemy, we cry out to the Lord.

Jesus’ storm was different from Jonah’s. No disciples were thrown overboard.

As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” Matthew 8:23-25

As we can see here, Jesus was sleeping soundly in the middle of the storm! So, it is possible to have peace in the middle of the storm.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

It takes faith and trust to fall asleep in a storm. It also takes great faith to speak to the storm. The disciples panicked and have to wake up Jesus.

Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5

3. We go through life’s storms with faith and endurance.

Paul’s storm was also different from Jonah’s as it was not caused by his sin or by spiritual forces. Paul also did not speak to the storm. He went through it, and they even lost their ship. However, God gave a promise to Paul:

Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. Acts 27:22

Again, at times, we have to go through the storm as Paul did, trusting God’s plan and purpose.

Sometime, it takes the same amount of faith to go through the storm as it does to stop it. It also takes great faith to survive the storm than thrive in life without a storm.

And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

CHALLENGE:

Are you going through a storm today? What caused this storm? What is God saying to you regarding this storm? Repent? Be still? Be strong?