STORMS AND TRIBULATION

STORMS AND TRIBULATION

Storms are sure to come and overflow our lives and soul with sorrow and destruction. We weep and we mourn, seldom do we pray. We wait not upon the Lord but see only the day and its devastation. Tribulation is a storm that yields patience. The first step to growth in faith is dependence upon God in all situations and conditions. Faith is the key that opens the lock of unbelief that binds the hands of God. It is his will that none should suffer but we live by the choices that we make. Job was a godly man of great wealth and standing. So great was He that God mocked and shamed Satan using Job. (Job 21:15-21) 15 “What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. 18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. 19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. 20 His eyes shall see his (enemie’s) destruction, and he (the enemy) shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what pleasure hath he (the enemy) in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?”

The author of Psalms was no stranger to enemy attacks; He calls upon God for deliverance: (Psalms 55:5-8) “5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” Slow to anger and quick to set in place a time delayed destruction of enemies of His children who fitfully pray and wait upon His deliverance. (Nahum 1:3) “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (Romans 8:25-27) 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Isaiah 25:4 “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.”

Faith is of the essence in any interaction with God. Faith in the storms of life is the ingredient that bring peace of mind when storms rages. Even the storm of pending death is but a nuisance to one who is a faith bound child of God. Riding out the storm in faith that the Lord is in charge of it pleases Him. He is not pleased with fear. A ship ride by Jesus and his disciples gives us this insight. (Mark 4:) “37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 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. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Again in the midst of a storm, Peter tested his own faith. And Jesus demonstrated unto them one more time that he was God.

Matthew 14:27-33: 27 “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

Troubles, the sons of the devil, will come to tempt and break God’s children. If it were possible, he would succeed in all cases. However only a few loose faith and perish. Strong believers in God “ride out the storm by faith that unlocks God’s binding so He can work miracles. Know God, know peace. Amen. 02-14-2020. BLL