Storms of Life

Psalm 75: 1-5; 9-10

We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near.  People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.  God says, “At the time I have planned, I will bring justice against the wicked. When the earth quakes and its people live in turmoil, I am the one who keeps its foundations firm. “I warned the proud, stop your boasting!” I told the wicked, “Don’t raise your fists! Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.”  But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.  For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked, but I will increase the power of the godly.”

This past week, Turkey experienced a devastating 7.2 earthquake.  Hundreds are dead and hundreds more are missing.  It’s hard to fathom the aftermath of such a tragedy.  People ask all the time why do these things happen? This is a hard question to understand and it’s hard to find the answers.  Psalm 75 is a perfect example of what to do in times of turmoil.  When destruction and natural disasters are all around us, we can’t give up hope in the Lord.  These are the most pivotal times in the Christian life.  How we react to these situations will determine how strong are faith is in Christ.  Nations will rise and fall.  People will go from being wealthy to having nothing left. 

Let me ask you a question. If a natural disaster came through your town right now and destroyed everything you had, what would you do? Who would you trust? Would there be anyone you could turn to in your life? I hope your answer is yes.  Jesus Christ said he will never leave us nor forsake us even in the hardest of times. 

In Mark 4: 35-40, Jesus and the disciples are crossing the Sea of Galilee.  A horrible storm comes and threatens their lives.  The disciples find Jesus sleeping and ask Him does he care that they are going to perish.  Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea and says peace be still.  He says to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”  The disciples look at each other in fear and wonder how the wind and seas obey Him.

How amazing is it that even Jesus went through storms of this life.  We see a picture of how Jesus is in control even when we don’t think He is.  The scripture says, that even when the earth quakes and the people live in turmoil, He is the one who keeps the foundations of the earth firm.  The proud and arrogant will turn their back on Him, but those that trust in the Lord, He will increase their power.

I believe God wants to bless us even in the storms of life.  The way you respond in those storms  will determine the outcome.  Jesus faced the worst death and persecution anyone could have ever gone through.  There is nothing that we have gone through or going to go through that Jesus hasn’t already faced.  He will be there even when you don’t see Him at work.  You have to trust at all times that God is in control and to not give up.  Patience is hard to obtane these days in a world that is moving so fast.  That's why you have to stay in the Word of God daily and pray for God’s will to be so clear in your life even when you face the worst of storms. You will be amazed how much you will grow spiritually when you stay focused and persevere to the end.