Two kinds of storms ∙
The LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. – Jonah 1:4
Matthew 14:22-33
22 Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Storms on Earth typically arise from disturbances in the atmosphere, often due to a mix of factors like changes in temperature, humidity, and air pressure. As warm, moist air ascends and cools, it can lead to cloud formation and precipitation. When a low-pressure area develops and is encircled by high-pressure zones, the resulting pressure difference causes air to flow from high to low pressure, creating strong winds and severe weather phenomena.
Storms often bring intense weather conditions, such as powerful winds, tornadoes, hail, thunder, lightning, and heavy rainfall or freezing rain. These can significantly disrupt everyday life and often result in significant costs to human life, animals, and property.
The Scriptures distinguish between two types of storms. The first type refers to those allowed by the Father for our growth. These storms are meant to be instructive, offering lessons that enhance our ability to handle challenges with greater skill and fortitude. By responding appropriately, our faith is fortified, and our trust in Him deepens.
As children of the King, we experience the Father’s discipline (child training) aimed at nurturing a faithful, robust generation of loyal followers. His wish is for all His children to become strong in faith and mighty in spirit.
Proverbs 3:11-12
11 My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12 For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
The Scriptures reveal a different kind of storm, one that arises when we stray from God’s will. These storms aim to provoke change in those who encounter them.
In Jonah 1:4, the LORD unleashed a fierce wind on the sea, creating such a tumultuous storm that it threatened to tear the ship apart. Jonah was fleeing from the Father’s plan and call, rejecting the assignment he was given. Instead of traveling east, he boarded a ship heading west. The Father was in hot pursuit. He produced a dangerous storm at sea that posed a threat to the boat and its crew. However, the objective was not to harm them but to reroute Jonah toward Nineveh to complete his calling. To this end, the Father had made available an intelligently designed and engineered underwater transportation system, aka the great fish.
The tempest arose as a consequence of Jonah’s deviation from the Father’s plan. He was out of God’s will. This was a corrective storm designed to bring Jonah back into alignment with the Father’s will. The storm was a consequence of Jonah’s disobedience, and he needed to be redirected onto the right path. The Father used the storm to guide Jonah to where He wanted him to be.
REFLECT & PRAY
“There are two kinds of storms: storms of correction, when God disciplines us; and storms of perfection, when God helps us to grow” (Wiersbe).
Father, help me to remember that in the midst of storms, You are by my side and interceding for me. You are greater than any storm.
INSIGHT
The Lord Jesus Christ intentionally sent His disciples ahead in a boat as He stayed behind to pray for them. Was He aware a storm would arise? Of course! Did He purposefully lead them into it? Indeed! They were safer amidst the storm within His will than on solid ground amidst the crowds but outside His will.
“We must never judge our security based on circumstances alone” (Wiersbe). Safety is not the absence of danger but the presence of God.
When a powerful storm arose, the disciples were terrified, fearing for their lives. Yet, they faced this storm precisely because they followed Jesus’ instructions. He was their Personal Trainer. This was part of His training program for them. It was an opportunity for the disciples to observe and learn more about His miraculous power and control over nature. They were astonished by what happened.
Amid the storm’s fury, Jesus approached them, walking on water. The exact nature of His walk is left to the imagination. Was He like a surfer riding the curls beneath the crests of the large plunging waves? Did the sea calm as He walked and became relatively placid beneath His feet? The Scriptures do not say. Regardless, He was in complete control of the energy and surge of the storm and powerful waves.
But there is more. They had just witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5000. What was the intended takeaway? The Lord Jesus Christ has power over nature. It is mere fingerwork for Him to provide for people’s needs. After He sent the disciples into the sea to face the coming storm, He retreated to the hills to pray for their safety and growth.
Mark 6:44-52
44 A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves!
45 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida while he sent the people home.
46 After telling everyone goodbye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.
50 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”
51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed,
52 for they still didn’t understand the significance of the miracle of the loaves. Their hearts were too hard to take it in.
The disciples had failed to put two and two together and were unprepared to handle the coming storm effectively.
Many Christians mistakenly believe that following God’s will guarantees an easy journey. But this isn’t true. Jesus assured us, “In the world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33). When we’re caught in a storm due to our obedience to Him, we must remember that He led us there and is capable of taking care of us (Wiersbe).
While we navigate life’s storms, where is the Lord Jesus Christ, and what is He doing? He is seated at the right hand of God in heavenly places. He was praying and making intercession for us. What a wonderful prayer partner!
Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 