08/14/2024
A little long but worth the read.......
God WILL Use This
August 13, 2024
God is good at all times and in every way! You know it’s true, but right now you’re just not feeling it. Right now––a storm is raging in your life, and you’re wondering if He’s even noticed. Right now––waves are crashing over your head and you feel like you’re drowning. Right now—the winds of adversity are threatening to capsize your boat and send it to the depths.
In the Bible, we read about a storm on the Sea of Galilee. At the end of a long day, Jesus suggested that He and His disciples go across to the other side, probably to escape the crowds and get some much-needed rest (see Mark 4:35–41). As soon as the boat left shore, Jesus settled down in the stern and fell asleep. Soon after, and without warning, the Sea of Galilee (notorious for sudden storms) began to rage around them. Waves crashed over the boat threatening to sink it, and still Jesus slept peacefully. Finally, fearing for their lives, the men awakened Jesus and asked, “Don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus stood and spoke to the storm, “Peace, be still!” Immediately, the winds ceased and the sea became as smooth as glass. “Where is your faith?” He asked His disciples.
Jesus used this storm on the Sea of Galilee to strengthen His disciples’ faith. He knew the times ahead would be difficult. In a dramatic demonstration of His power, He hoped to teach His disciples that He would always be with them, ready to answer whenever they called on Him.
Jesus was there to rescue His disciples, He’s here with you as well, right in the middle of the storm in your life. God always uses the struggles in our lives. He doesn’t allow us to suffer in vain. Ask yourself what lessons He might be teaching you.
1. He may be drawing you closer to Him. God is much more than the far-away Creator of the Universe. He wants to be right there with you as you encounter the struggles of this life. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Open your heart to Him, go to your place of prayer, and reach out to Him.
2. He may be strengthening you. The stronger you are spiritually, the better you will fare when the storms come. Psalm 138:3 (HCSB) says, “On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.” God wants to make us soldiers, ready to fight the good fight of faith. Pray boldly and stand strong in your faith.
3. He may be teaching you compassion for others. Jesus understands how we feel because He became one of us and experienced our suffering. In the same way, the storms in your life will increase your compassion for others. You can understand how another person feels because you’ve been there yourself. In 1 Peter 3:8 (HCSB), we read, “All of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble.” Reach out to those you know who are suffering and point them to Jesus, your storm chaser.
4. He may be increasing your patience. An infant cries bitterly over every discomfort, expecting immediate attention to his or her needs. We often do the same. We want God to deal with our discomfort and meet our needs—right now! But God asks us to wait, to develop patience. Waiting often produces valuable insight into ourselves and our situation. Psalm 40:1 (NIV)says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Ask God to give you peace as you wait on Him.
No matter how fierce the storm, how strong the waves, how deep the water, God is there with you, ready to use the storm for His purposes in your life. You are not alone in your suffering. He sees your struggle, and just as He did with Jesus’ disciples on the Sea of Galilee, He will carry you safely to the other side.
