The Storm

Wednesday, ‎January ‎11, ‎2023

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day: 1 Peter 1:15-16

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Memory verse: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Readings: GENESIS 27-28 MATTHEW 8:18-34

The Storm

Matthew chapter 8 has the account of Jesus calming the storm with His words. This account ends with these words: "...and there was great calm".

My Dad would sit on our front porch and watch as a storm approached. He would send us in the house and sit there quietly and watch while we watched from inside the house. He would sit there until he started getting wet and then come in. He was there to show his protection to us as small children. We knew as long as daddy was between us and the storm, we were o.k. That is what we thought, anyway and we were never hurt during a storm. The strange thing is, I don't remember a storm without my Dad on the porch. I know there were some times when he was not there but I do not recall them.

How many storms(physical, emotional, spiritual) of your life can you remember when you cried out to God for help? Whether you cried out or not, The Lord was always on your 'porch'. He never leaves. Sometimes the storms wreck the house and He is always there to put it back in order. But why does He let it happen?

You would not be who you are without the storms and the recovery from them-plain and simple. Some, in anger, will say, "I could believe in Him a lot easier without all that pain!" Maybe...not.

My dad would sit as the storm approached and then what? He would come inside with us-and together, we would ride out the storm.

Storms are a certainty in life. God's presence is a guarantee. His love endures forever.

Matthew 28:20

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Psalm 136:1 ►Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

The disciples in the boat were afraid they were going to drown. Jesus knew better. After that storm, do you think the disciples ever woke Jesus up again? Sure they did. Everytime they had a problem, they went to Him because they knew he could fix it all.

Jesus is on the inside to give us strength through the storms. Jesus really wants us to experience the great calm.

Why?

...because He loves us...

Father in Heaven,

Forgive my fear of trials. I know You never leave us. Teach me to depend more and more on You.

Father of protection for our hearts.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen