Peace in the Storm

Job 1:5-8 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom. One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (NIV)

                Job was a man who walked upright in the sight of God. He was the type of man that God knew he could count on to do what was right. Every year, Job’s children held a feast where there possibly was a lot of ungodly things taking place. The Bible doesn’t go into details as to what may have caused Job to worry about his children, but maybe they didn’t reverence God as he did. He could have heard rumors or he watched their lifestyles, which didn’t exemplify that of a God-fearing person. Whatever took place at the yearly parties, Job felt the need to pray to God on their behalf.

            

          Despite Job’s best efforts, this did not keep him from having to endure a major storm. Job did everything right that a God-fearing man should do and yet, he was singled out by God to encounter the worst storm that a person could possibly imagine. Worst of all, it was by the One whom he had tried so faithfully to serve. It would have been one thing if the devil had hand selected Job in order to mess with him on his own. However, God volunteered Job to be attacked by the devil. This is a hard pill to swallow when God volunteers your services without asking your permission. I am sure that if God had asked Job could he use him as an example to others about enduring storms that Job may have respectfully declined.

           

          What if Job knew that he would lose his children, animals, servants, and then be attacked in his body, how would he have felt? If he knew that the ones whom he considered as friends would be the ones to attempt to discourage him, how would things have played out? What if he knew that his own wife’s counsel would be to curse God and die? God does not  always warn us that a test is on the way. God doesn’t ask our permission to take us through a storm. God just does it because He is God, but most importantly...He does take you through.

Mathew 8:23-27 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “you of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (NIV)

            Another example of this is when Jesus was on-board this boat with the disciples sleeping. An major storm came and the disciples were in fear. I can imagine the rain pounding hard as it touches the surface of the boat, the wind making the waves so rough that the boat seems to want to crack, and fear mixed with panic taking place while the disciples try to control the boat. Just as the devil hit Job in all directions, the disciples probably felt that they were backed into a corner where there was nothing that they could do despite their best efforts. But suddenly, someone remembered that Jesus was on board. They woke their master and Jesus calmed the storm after mentioning their lack of faith.

           

          Did they not know that they were in the best position possible because Jesus was on board? Did Job not know that God was in control of his situation in such a manner that even the devil couldn’t take his life without permission? See, it is sometimes hard to see God when we are going through the storms of life. We pray, fast, believe, petition God some more and still, the storms of life seem to come at us without any sense of letting up. We know that God is there, but as the disciples, we think that Jesus too sleepy to save us from our storms.

            However, Jesus was indeed sleep, but not unaware. He was sleep, but He was not comatose. Jesus was aware of everything that was taking place. The only thing that the disciples had to do was believe and call on His name. Job had to believe and not curse God and die. Belief in the unknown is hard. That’s why it’s called faith. Faith to know that when all around you is falling to pieces that God has a special life jacket just for you. Faith to know that He didn’t give you a test that He knew you couldn’t pass. Faith to know that He would never bring you to a river where He hasn’t provided a bridge for you to cross.

            Storms will come unexpectantly and tests will arise. However, even though it isn’t always easy, peace in the midst of a storm is possible. To know that God has sunshine on the other side of the storm is to put complete faith and trust in His word in what He has declared over your life. You are more than a conqueror. You are the apple of His eye. You are victorious. You are who God says you are and no storm can get the victory when God has already declared you the Winner.