Rebuke the Storm
But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm. ~Matthew 8:26
As I sat down and wrote this post, a "monster" hurricane made its way through Florida and traveled up the coast. The path of damage and destruction is heartbreaking. My heart feels the ache of it. I can only imagine the ache in our Father's heart as this storm hurled it's way through.
Some ask, "Where is God in these moments?" Why does He allow this?
We live in a world that is ruled by darkness. Storms don't come from the hand of God.
He rebukes them!
God is only good. He is high above the darkness of this world and the rulers therein.
So, while God does not cause these things to happen, He certainly has power over them. Sometimes He chooses to calm the storm and sometimes He chooses not too. We can't possibly understand why. His ways are higher than ours, so much higher.
Matthew chapter 8 shows us God's power over everything on this earth.
Matthew 8:1-16 Jesus heals many and shows us His power over disease. In this, He fulfills the prophet Esaias' words, Himself took our infirmities and bore our sickness. (Isaiah 53:4)
Matthew 8:18-22 shows us His power over men and the cost to follow Him.
Matthew 8:23-27 displays God's power over nature as Jesus rebukes the storm with His Words.
Matthew 8:28-34 details His power over devils as they are cast into a group of pigs.
Storms come in many forms...physical, financial, mental, relational, and on it goes. So, what do we do when they come? We rebuke them just like Jesus did, but only by His name and authority, not our own. We take up our sword, or S(Word) as mentioned in my last post....( https://www.calmiscalling.com/post/when-war-comes-part-2 ) which is the Word of God, and we speak it into our storm!
In order to do this, we need to know the Word of God. We must sit with it, ingest it, and dine on it everyday.
God's word is like a banquet table filled with divine delicacies prepared for our delight. We must be present and sit at His table to partake. We can't expect an Uber driver to deliver it to our door in a Styrofoam package and eat it hastily on the go. We need to sit with it...take small bites and savor it. Ask God to give you a hunger and thirst for His Word. Ask Him to lead you to what He wants you to read. Ask Him to draw you into it and watch Him move! Nothing delights Him more than when we earnestly seek Him.
O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. ~Psalm 63:1
Take His Word into your storm and proclaim it.
When you are in the middle of the storm, go to His Word. Look for verses that speak directly to what you are dealing with. Once you find them, write them down. Keep them where you will see them everyday. Read them out loud everyday. Speak them in to your storm and watch God's hands move.
Here are some examples to get you started.....
In trouble?
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. -Psalm 91:14-15
Feeling alone?
Never will I leave you. never will I forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
Nevertheless I am continually with You; you hold me by my right hand. ~Psalm 73:23
Financial lack?
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. Psalm 23:1
Afraid?
Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto: not as the world give them, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ~John 14:27
Pray with me..
Heavenly Father,
We come to You needing Your comfort and needing Your sweet Presence to fill and sustain us. Our hearts are broken for those affected by Hurricane Ian. We cry out for all that have been affected. We ask that You would draw near to them. Give their hearts hope to go on and strength to overcome. Let them find shelter in Your wings. Provide for them and show each of us how we can help and what to do.
For the storms in our lives, we ask Father that You would lead us through them. Teach us to rebuke them and to speak Your Word into them, over and over. Help us to take up our Sword and teach us how to use it!
Protect us from evil as thy kingdom comes and thy will is done.
In Jesus Name, Amen
