Here is Saturday's:
Can you believe this weather? This is officially the first
day of winter and it’s 70 degrees at my house where and in just a few days we’ll
celebrate the birth of Christ. There was thunder and lightning last night with
at least one tornado warning in the area. Today is projected to be stormy as
well. People want to panic because they
don’t have everything done and it’s the last Saturday before Christmas.
I am thinking of the Lord and His disciples in the boat
during the storm. They were panicked. They were in the presence of God and yet
when the storm arose they lost it. I see them scurrying around, batting down
the hatches, pulling in the sails and wondering if they would even survive.
They were upset that Jesus slept while they prepared and worried and planned
their own demise.
The facts of their situation included their knowledge of
storms. That’s about all they allowed themselves to think about. They were so
caught up in the momentary problem that they couldn’t see anything else. They
had walked with Jesus everywhere and had seen Him perform miracle after miracle
and yet in their own stormy situation they couldn’t think straight.
Would they have been happier if Jesus had jumped up in a
panic with them? Would they have been glad that He was helping prepare for the
end? Of course not. They wanted Jesus to do something and He didn’t seem to be
doing anything but sleep!
And we are there. At least some of us are. We’re in a boat
of our own making, in the storm of our life and water is lapping at our
throats. We’re tossed in the sea of troubles when we should be resting in His
promises. But we think He’s sleeping. We think He doesn’t know we don’t have
enough time, enough money, or enough presence of mind to make it. We’re in the
storm of our life and we know we’re going to drown. Where is God when we need
Him? It’s only a few days until we celebrate His birthday yet we don’t feel His
presence at all. We’re in a panic. We don’t know what to do first or which way
to go but this storm in our life is going to do us in.
Oh beloved, God knows what the weather is like at your house
and in your heart. He knows the trouble you are facing. He knows it’s only a
few days until everything is supposed to be just perfect and yet He cannot be
found in your panic. It’s too loud. It’s deafening and the roar will only get
louder…until you come and sit at His feet. He promises, whether it’s Christmas
or not, to still the storm or get you through it. It’s not what He does that
makes the difference nearly as much as simply His presence. No more babe in the
manger, you are protected by the King of Kings! No more a crucified Christ, you
are watched over by the Risen Lord! No more vacated Savior, you have the Holy
Spirit residing in you! He’s not ignoring your storm, He’s making all things
new for you. He’s not aloof, He’s living proof! He’s not away, He’s holding the
enemy at bay. All the hopes and fears of all your years are satisfied in
Christ.
Quit watching the storm and look instead to the wonderful
reminders of God’s glory and grace all around you! Open up the Book of Books
and read about you, your situation and your Savior. He loves you and He’s for
you and that’s why you can be assured He will get you through this storm and
safely to shore to celebrate with Him forever!
Luke 8:24-25 The disciples went and woke Him up, shouting,
“Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and the raging
waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then He asked them, “Where
is your faith?”
Psalm 31:22 In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the
Lord!” But You heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help.
Psalm 121:4 Indeed, He who watches over Israel never
slumbers or sleeps.
Psalm 29:10-11 The Lord sat as King at the flood; Yes, the
Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord
will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 27:5 For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in
His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift
me up on a rock.
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