PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• We were driving home from church yesterday when my husband shouted, “Hail!” and I had to do a double-take since I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.
He was checking the weather app on his phone; a storm was coming.
My husband loves storms.
He will stand on our back porch for hours, even in the middle of the night, to watch a storm rage.
I don’t share his enthusiasm and just pray God doesn’t let him get electrocuted one of these days.
But our gorgeous Carolina-blue-sky did turn very dark shortly thereafter as a brief storm came through the area.
Isn’t that just like life?
We go about, sailing along on calm seas, and then, a storm comes along.
Sometimes, we see the storm clouds and can prepare.
Other times, the storm sneaks up on us unexpectedly.
Either way, God never promised smooth sailing.
But for anyone who trusts in Him, He promises a safe harbor.
You’re likely familiar with the story in Luke when Jesus calmed the storm.
Luke 8:22-25 gives us the details, but a recap…
Jesus and the disciples were on a lake when a storm hit.
Jesus was napping through it while the disciples were terrified.
In verse 24-25a NLT, it says, “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we’re going to drown!’ When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, ‘Where is your faith?’”
When we face storms, we have to face them with faith.
We serve One who knows every storm before it hits and Who is always in control.
We can trust that He will see us through.
We don’t have to like the storm, but God is faithful.
Psalm 107:25-26,28-30 says, “He spoke, and the winds rose, stirring up the waves. Their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!”
Today, as you pray, give praise to the One who controls the winds and the waves.
We may not understand the reasons behind every storm, but thank God that we can trust Him to see us through them.
Pray for those who are facing their own personal storms, and ask the Holy Spirit to keep you focused and calm when you face your own.
