The audio is currently being processed and will be available shortly.
Title: How To Know God's Presence In A Big Storm
Series: Living With The Presence Of God
Key Passage: Luke 8:22-25 “One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side
of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came
down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The
disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and
rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is
your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this?
He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
It can be hard to stay positive when storms hit. Storms can be very frightening, especially when
the storm is called a Coronvirus pandemic, the like of which we have never seen before. Storms
can cause great damage and some storms can change your life forever. Suddenly the world
around you, that seemed so safe and secure, can rapidly disintegrate through forces beyond
your control.
When the storm arose on the Lake of Galilee, Jesus’s disciples, who included experienced
fishermen, were panic stricken and convinced that they ‘were going to drown.’ They could see
no way out of the state they were in. However, there was hope for the disciples as God was
with them in their storm. We can learn important lessons from this story for today and discover
good news in a bad news world.
1. Jesus was with them in the boat
2. Jesus was able to calm the storm (Mark 9:23b, Hebrews 13:8, John 14:27, Philippians 4:7)
3. Jesus brought them through the storm (2 Timothy 4:18, Psalm 23)
Apply
When you're in a storm, what is your main focus? Because the disciples were so focussed on
the raging storm, they had overlooked that Jesus was in the boat with them. When Jesus is in
your boat you are not going to sink: nothing is impossible for Him. Jesus was God who came
to earth: mankind couldn’t get to Him so He came to us. The Bible calls Him ‘Emmanuel’,
meaning ‘God with us’. As such, you can know the presence of God in every situation. Psalm
46: 1 says: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ God is nearer to
you than you think – He is just a call away. Maybe, like the disciples, you think God is sleeping
or doesn’t care about you, but God is with you and He loves you always. When you really
know this, you don’t need to panic or to give way to fear. Many times God promises ‘don’t be
afraid, I am with you.’ When you know Jesus is in the boat with you, you can be at peace in
the storm. Are you sure that Jesus is on board in your life, family, home and business?
Do you believe God is able to do a miracle in your storm? In their fear and panic, the disciples
woke Jesus up and He quickly calmed the storm, leaving them amazed. God is a God of
miracles. God is not bound by logic and human rules. Mark 9:23b: “Everything is possible for
one who believes.” Do you believe that God is able and willing to turn around the storms in
your life?
One of the names of Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with
you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid.” When you take time to consider the promises of Scripture and
welcome the Holy Spirit, you will quickly be aware of the wonderful presence of Jesus. The
Apostle Paul, who experienced many physical and spiritual storms, wrote in 2 Timothy 4:18:
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly
kingdom. Paul had confidence that God would always bring him through every storm. Today,
do not focus on your storm but on Jesus who is with you, who can calm you and who can get
you through.
