Being Christ followers does not guarantee that we will always have crystal clear seas to sail upon. Stormy gales will blow whipping up the salty spray and churning waves. Christians often will face storms in their daily lives. Being a Christian does not prevent storms arising in our lives. But we can be assured that we do not need to face the storms alone because the Lord is with us. If Jesus is in the ship of our lives, He will help us deal with the storms that come our way. Matthew 28:20 proclaims this great promise of the Lord Jesus Christ " teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
Mark's Gospel paints a vivid picture of a storm that Jesus and His disciples faced on the Sea of Galilee. Mark 4: 35-41 says "And the same day when evening was come Jesus said unto the disciples "Let us pass over to the other side." And when they had sent away the multitudes they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow and they awoke Him and said unto Him, "Master, do you care not that we perish?" And He arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea "Peace be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And He said unto them "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly and said one to another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"
Over twenty years ago a Street Mission Church in British Columbia I preached a sermon I called Storm warnings. It was based on this passage in Mark 4: 35-41. When storms are imminent the weather authorities release watches and warnings. Often during the summer months we hear Environment Canada release Thunder Storm Watches or Warnings. In the winter they release watches and warnings regarding Snow squalls, lake effect snow or blizzards. All of these warnings are to ensure that we are safe and able to survive adverse conditions that we face. I believe that this Scriptural episode from Mark's Gospel gives to us as Christ followers storm warnings to help us face the circumstances of life. In reality it is not if storms come but rather it is when storms do come. If we are following Christ we will face circumstances that are designed to capsize our faith and send us for a spin spiritually. Satan wants to destroy us and he will do what ever he can to confront us with storms and circumstances that are to try and destroy our faith in the Lord. But the Lord is constantly with us, and even though it may appear He is asleep in the boat He will rise up and assist us so we can overcome the storm. He will bring peace to the tumultuous seas of our lives and carry us through the storm. I believe that this passage of Mark's Gospel declares the following "storm warnings" for Christians:
1. When a storm hits you rejoice in the Lord for allowing it to happen. Faith is the key to open the door of understanding. When the billows roll and the circumstances of life beat around us, we can rejoice because the Lord has promised always to be with us and never to leave us. Psalms 23: 4 says, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as you have, for He hath said "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." We can believe in the Lord and His promised presence in our lives. When the storms hit and threaten the "puny little barks" of our lives, lets rejoice in the Lord for allowing the storm, because we know He is with us and will not forsake us.
2. Secondly, when we face a storm take time to recall how God has helped you in the past as you faced storms. The Psalmist, David wrote Psalm 63 and recalls all the Lord has done for Him. Psalm 63 says, "O God Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. To see Your power and Your glory, so as I have seen You in the sanctuary. Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus will I bless You while I live. I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice. My soul follows hard after You; Your right hand upholds me. But those that seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword; they shall be a portion for the foxes. But the king shall rejoice in God; everyone that swears by Him shall glory; but the mouth of them that speaks lies shall be stopped..."
When David was confronted by the problems of life he looked back to how God has blessed in the past in the sanctuary. He recalls the good times of mediation with the Lord as he rested on his bed. He recalls the victories won the closeness of the Lord in the past struggles and he is encouraged as he faces present storms and difficulties. As the Apostle Paul said in Romans 8:31, "If God be for use who can be against us!" Recalling how God has helped us in the past can give us encouragement to face present storms. If God has been faithful in the past He will also be faithful in the presence moment and also in the future. We can be helped to face present storms by recalling how God was with us and helped us in the past. We can learn to "stand on the promises of God." We can "lean on the everlasting arms of our Lord Jesus Christ.
3. This leads us to a third "storm warning". When we are caught in the gales of life and tossed on the stormy seas rest in the promises of God. When the storms come let's ask ourselves "Do I really believe in God's promises? Are they true? Can they keep me faithful and true and strong? Can I rest in the Lord? Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint." When we wait on the Lord we are renewed. We will soar like eagles, and we will know tireless running and weariless walking. We will rest in the Lord. Isaiah 14: 3 says "And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall give you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear and from the hard bondage wherein you were made to serve." Isaiah 26: 3 says "You will keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." In spite of the storms the Lord will bring peace to our minds when they are stayed on Him... The songwriter puts it,
"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."
God promises His presence with us. He promises to renew us; He promises to give us rest and He promises that we will have repose. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with You, My peace (Jesus) I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto You. Let not your heart be troubled; neither let it be afraid." Philippians 4:6-7 counsels " Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
When the storms come the Lord is with us. We can stand on His promises and we can look to Him, to come and calm the waves and quiet the winds. He is our sanctuary in the midst of the storm.