Text: Matthew 8: 23-27, Mark 4:35-41
By: MARVIS KAINE
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Thanks be to God almighty for such a beautiful day He has given to us to worship Him. This admonition is inspired by the song of the same title written by Ryan Steveson.
“In the eye of the storm, you remain in control
In the middle of the war, you guard my soul
You alone are the anchor,
When my sail are torn
Your love surrounds me, in the eye of the storm
In our text, the disciples and Jesus were crossing the sea of Galilee when a storm began to rage. The disciples were frightened, fearful and faithless in the midst of what they perceived to be a deadly situation and Christ was asleep and the disciples cried to Him to saved them less they perish. In verse 26 Christ 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.
storm is a period of a very bad weather when there is a lot of rain, snow or strong wind and often lightening- Longman dictionary. Merriam Webster put it as a disturbed or agitated state. In the midst of every devastating storm, there is a space of about 20 diameters where there is calm called the “eye of the storm. Eye of the storm is a place of calm in the centre of the storm. It is a region of calm weather right in the middle of storm.
To be in the eye of the storm, is to be at the centre or deeply involved in an especially difficult, stressful or hectic situation over a period of time. It is a site of serenity (state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled) and tranquillity.
The storms of life are bound to hit all of us in some point. The strong wind of adversity and the heavy rains of afflictions show no respect for a person, age or circumstances. Yet in the midst of this trials, God offer to those who have placed their trust in His son Jesus Christ a place of perfect peace and safety- Isa 26:3
Storms will come into our lives as children of God in the form of calamity, hardship of some kind, sickness, marital problems, betrayals by friends and family, joblessness, childlessness and so many but a few to mention. The scriptures tell of children of God that faced various storm at one point or the other;
DANIEL
Daniel was in the eye in the eye of the storm when he was thrown into the lion den. He was surround by a pride of hungry felines that would have liked nothing better than a good meal. Yet through the intervention of God’s angel, Daniel had nothing to worry about. In the midst of a terrifying situation, he experienced God’s peace and calm because he trusted in the Lord God- Dan6:21-23.
HANNAH
HANNAH, we know her for sorrow. She was faced with the storm of Childlessness because God closed her womb and her co- wife provoked her at every opportunity she got and, made her life miserable because she had no child. In the midst of the provocation and bitterness, she talked to God and find her peace- I Sam 1:10; and she was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.
Take note, in the eye of the storm, Hannah showed unmatched restraint with her words. She not only knew the right thing to say but also when to say nothing. Hannah trusted God without doubt or concern. Dearly beloved do not loss hope keep the faith for God is in control.
APOSTLE PAUL. In I Corinthians 11:26 listed the various stormed he faced.
BIBLE VERSES TO BRING PEACE IN THE TIME OF STORM
Beloved if you feel like a storm is blowing through your life, a storm of debt, joblessness, depression sickness as the case may be kind look up God and let His words remind you that even when the storms come you seek shelter and comfort in His promises;
- Philippians 4:6-7; do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus (NIV)
- ISAIAH 43:2; When you pass through waters, I will
- Matthew 8:24-27 24And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. 25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 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 a great calm. 27 So the men marvelled, saying, [a]“Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?” NKJV
- Isaiah 26:3 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. NKJV
- Philippians 4:8-9 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
- Job 37:5-7, 13 5 God thunders marvellously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise, to the [a]gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. 7 He seals the hand of every man, that all men may know His work. He causes it to come, Whether for [a]correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.
- Isaiah 41:10 10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
- Psalm 34:4 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- 1 Peter 5:7 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Beloved, when the solid ground is falling out from underneath your feet. Between the black dark skies and your red eyes that you can barely see and when you are feeling like I’ve been let down by family and friends, let the rain reminds you that in the eye of the storm, God remain in control.
CONCLUSION
Beloved no matter the storm, remember that God rescued Jonah from the belly of the fish and HE will surely see you through.
God bless these words richly in our heart in Christ name Amen.
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