Enduring Storms

Psalm 19:1

[1] The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. (ESV)

We often talk about the Glory of the Lord as seen in creation. When we do it is usually in addressing our wonder at the greatness of God and his power over all things, including that which he created. Mainly us and the totality of creation. This is not one of those wistful postings pondering the greatness of God. Quite the opposite. Not in the sense of tearing down God, but rather popping the bubble of our own hubris. i.e. how truly small we are.

At the time of writing this, we are in the midst of a winter storm that has affected most of the U.S. This storm stretches from New Mexico and Texas across to the North East going all the way up to Maine. 40 states have declared states of emergency and 190 million Americans are under a winter weather warning or watch of some sort.

That is the power of creation at work and it is a reminder of the awesome nature of God and his power over it all. But it s a reminder that for all our power and might and intellect, we are not the gods that we think we are. Do not get me wrong, I used the word gods for a reason. You see we are very clever. We build massive machines and building, we create things that fly through the air faster than the speed of sound. We have build whole computers and recording studios that fit into our pocket and with a few swipes of the screen, we can be connected to the total knowledge base of all man kind. We have even left the boundaries of our planet and gone out into space.

Yet for all of this, it is the things of creation that bring all our plans and ideas to a grinding halt. Live in a half million dollar house or greater, nothing will cost you thousands of dollars than the humble termite. Such a tiny creature and yet they can destroy wood inside a home that can cost thousands of dollars to deal with or repair. That is just one of the many parts of nature that cause us difficulties.

But coming back to storms, all we can do is prepare for them and hold tight and then clean up. It is the same if it is a tornado, or hurricane or a winter storm, this is all we can do. There is nothing we can do to change the direction or intensity of the storm. There is nothing we can do to start it or stop it. It simply is and we are subject to it. It is a reminder that while our cleverness has helped us to weather these sorts of things, in the end, if a tree falls or a river leaves its bank or mountain of snow and ice falls from the sky, it is a part of creation and all we can do is endure.

Life is just like that sometimes, bad things happen and they come when we are not expecting it and when we are least prepared. Unlike a winter storm or a hurricane or a summer storm, things in life cannot be forecast or prepared for. Financial issues come up, health issues arise, relationships with other suffer. Stress at work and home, it all seems to be out of our control. All we can do is prepare and endure. But in Christ there is hope. The same God that created all things and brings forth the storms, can calm them.

Psalm 107:29

[29] He made the storm be still,
and the waves of the sea were hushed. (ESV)

Just as we cannot change the fact that the winter storm is coming, we cannot always change the things that happen to us in life. But Christ is always there and as God and Son, he will watch over his people. There is not storm that he cannot calm as we are reminded in Mark 4:35–41.

[35] On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” [36] And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. [38] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (ESV)

This is the power of Christ. If he can calm the seas, what can he not do? The answer is simple. There is nothing that he cannot do. Whether you are enduring storms around you or in life, take courage and count it a joy, because the God of all creation loves you and holds you in his hand and there is no reason to fear. For on this side of eternity or in the next, He has all things in his control.

James 1:2–4

[2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV)