Storms hit and there is little we can do to limit the devastation and destruction that they leave in their wake. Despite the vast advances in science and technology, there is still no way for people to even attempt to control the elements. When the most severe red weather warnings are announced, people have no choice but to batten down the hatches – schools are closed, trains cancelled, flights grounded. Plans are diverted by circumstances which are outside of our control.
Throughout the Bible, life’s trials and difficult situations are often likened to physical storms and extreme weather. We sometimes refer to these as the “storms of life”. As believers, we will undoubtedly face them at various times throughout our lives. They come in many shapes and forms, sometimes as a direct consequence of our wrongdoing but often through no fault of our own. We cannot predict what form they will takeor when they will strike but we can be certain they will come.How do we face these storms? To whom do we turn? What can we learn from the experiences of others who have survived their own storms before us?
The writer of Psalm 135 expresses the greatness of the Lord and explains that He “makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from the storehouses” (v.7). In Psalm 107, we learn that the Lord Himself commands and raises the stormy winds and lifts up the sea (v.25). Yet, when those at their “wits’ end” cry out to Him, He delivers them from their distress. The storm becomes still and we read the beautiful expression that the waves were “hushed” (vv.29,30).
David, when fleeing from the very real threats of Saul, cries out for God’s mercy: “in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by” (Psalm 57:1). This understanding is shared by Isaiah who describes God in His protection as “a stronghold to the needy in distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat” (Isaiah 25:4). God is the controller of all storms – He allows them to rise up but He also stills them again and provides us with refuge and safety until the danger is past.
The Bible also gives us several examples of God using stormsto fulfil His purposes in the lives of His people. The prophet Jonah was given clear instruction from God to visit the people of Nineveh with a warning. In disobedience, he boarded a ship setting sail in the opposite direction. In verse 4 of Jonah chapter 1 we learn that “the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up”. As the storm grew more intense and the fear for lives grew, Jonah recognised that this was a consequence of his sin. He told the men to throw him overboard to quieten the storm and, when they did so, just as he had said, the storm ceased. This caused the sailors to recognise the Lord for who He is (v.16).
Despite Jonah’s sin, the Lord provided rescue and safety forhim by sending a huge fish that swallowed him, spitting him out three days later. It was when Jonah recognised his sin and submitted himself to God that he was saved. Though the atmosphere in the belly of the great fish would have no doubt been horrendous, the Lord brought him through it and out to safety, and gave him another opportunity to serve Him. We read of Jonah’s prayer to God in chapter 2, where he acknowledges that, in his distress, he cried out and God answered. Jonah concludes that “Salvation belongs to the Lord!” (v.9).
The story of Jonah’s deliverance points us to the gospel,providing a picture of God’s mercy shown to us despite our undeserving nature. It also provides an example of how we should respond when the consequences of our own sinful actions lead to stormy situations. Jonah knew in his darkest moments that the only place of refuge was the Lord. He cried out and submitted himself into the hands of the Lord. Jonah went on to make more mistakes, as we will too, yet in this dramatic situation, he knew where to turn.
One of the Lord Jesus’ most famous miracles took place in the midst of a raging storm, yet He was found to be fast asleep.As the wind and the waves grew in power, the disciples fear grew too. In panic, they asked the Lord, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38). When He awoke, Jesus stilled the storm instantly with one short phrase, “Peace! Be still!” (v.39). At His words, the elements ceased.
The disciples had found themselves in the midst of this unexpected and frightening storm through no fault of their own. The Lord used this situation to grow their faith and reveal more to them about who He is. They learned valuable truth through this experience. God does the same for us – He protects us in the storms of our lives, whatever they may be, and uses them for good. He uses them to draw us close to Him, to teach us to rely on Him and to develop us spiritually by teaching us lessons He knows we need to learn.
Jesus challenged the faith of the disciples in v.40, asking,“Have you still no faith?”. They had witnessed the Lord’s power many times before and they had experienced His provision firsthand. The same can be said of us. The God who has brought us through the storms of our past is the same God who will continue to deliver us through the storms of our future. Our faith should be placed firmly in Him.
The Apostle Paul faced a storm (Acts 27-28). As a prisoner, Paul was being transported to Rome where he was expectingto face trial. On the way, a ferocious storm arose causing fear that the ship would run aground. Despite the dangerous and terrifying circumstances, Paul’s faith that God would safely deliver him to his destination never wavered. He endured an unexpected diversion, including shipwreck off the coast of Malta, which changed the timings of his journey but continued to trust steadfastly that God’s purposes would be fulfilled.
When our lives appear to travel off course, we must remember that God has a purpose in each detail. His plans will be fulfilled and in His timing. Paul trusted God, was safely delivered to Rome according to God’s timetable and, while there, had opportunities to testify and preach about Jesus “from morning till evening” (Acts 28:24).
Our experiences will be different from those of Jonah, the disciples and Paul. However, one thing we have in common is that our lives will feature storms. In each of these examples we can see God at work to fulfil His purposes and work out His plans. When the storms do come, we too can turn to Him, trusting the Creator and controller of all things with our protection and our growth. He knows what is best for each one of us and He will draw us closer to Himself, moulding and shaping us to be more like His Son. Further on in Psalm 107, the Psalmist writes that “they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven” (v.30). We know from His Word and from our experience that, each and every time we face a storm in life, He will do the same for us.
