12 February 2024 - God is a Refuge in the Storm

Isaiah 25:4(KJV) For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.

Psalm 107:29(AMP) He hushed the storm to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea were still.

Storms will come! When the storms of life come, we must believe that God will come through for us! God’s ways and timing may look different than what we prefer, but God will show up and move in powerful ways! No matter what you face, God is in the storm with you. In this world we will have storms, but God is with us.

John 16:32-33(MSG) The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.

Our attitude during the storm directly impacts the outcome. It is when we make the choice to not worry, but instead, pray about our needs and be thankful for all God has done that we will then experience His peace even during the storm. God will see you through.

Philippians 4:6-7(MSG) Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.

God has promised you will be brought safely through - you will reach your journey’s end.

Isaiah 41:10(ESV) fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 6:16-21(MSG) In the evening his disciples went down to the sea, got in the boat, and headed back across the water to Capernaum. It had grown quite dark and Jesus had not yet returned. A huge wind blew up, churning the sea. They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless, but he reassured them, “It’s me. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.” So they took him on board. In no time they reached land - the exact spot they were headed to.

John’s Gospel tells us that when evening came, Jesus’ disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. When it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them, a strong wind was blowing, and the waters grew rough. Their hearts began to sink. Jesus was not in the boat, and He had told them to cross the water. Storms overtake us. And it sometimes seems they will never end. But then the unimaginable happens. They saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water. Before Jesus stills the storms, He comes to us in the midst of our storms.

John 6:20(AMP) But Jesus said to them, “It is I (I Am); do not be afraid.”