Standing Still In The Storm

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“And suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping. And the disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us, we are going to die!” He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” - Matthew 8:24-26

During the recent hurricane news reporting, I was fascinated how the ones reporting on site of the storm seemed to take delight in their opportunity to be in the midst of all the adverse weather conditions. They were rain soaked, wind torn, tossed around, dodging broken limbs flying through the air. They positioned their feet and legs in such a way as to not be blown away. I took note of one reporter saying to another: “I watched you reporting during the storm and I was amazed that you were not blown away. I would have been blown into a tree.” His response to her was, “We were built to stand still in a storm.”

If Jesus could sleep through the storm of hurricane force, should we not also be able to withstand many adversities? Oh, that we as disciples of Jesus would take delight in positioning ourselves as He places us in the midst of adverse life situations and stand still in the storm? We have the strength of the Lord within us. We are equipped with the Armor of God to stand firm. We have been made warriors of God.

We have everything that we need in Christ Jesus.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” - 2 Peter 1:3

Would Jesus say to us today, “Why are you afraid, you men and women of little faith?” As we are rooted and grounded in Him, the strong winds will blow, but not blow us over.

Lord, increase our faith to believe You are who you say You are. You are our strength and shield. You are our stronghold. You are our help in times of trouble. When the winds of life blow against us, may we stand firm.

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.”

- George Mueller

Teach My Song To Rise You

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Does one line of a song sometimes grab you bringing you to full attention? That happened to me last week as I joined in worship with my sisters singing Matt Maher’s song, “Lord I Need You”. I had sung this song many times before, but God gripped me with that one line.

Teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You

Jesus, You’re my hope and stay.

Often we are deceived into believing that this walk of faith just automatically happens. It doesn’t. We have need to train ourselves in the faith. My song of faith does not always arise. I must train it to rise up. Sometimes I need to set myself down in the chair and preach some truths to me. Training my song to rise to God is practicing. It goes against what I am feeling and praises His name no matter what.

Let’s join in with David training his song to rise.

Then I will go to the altar of God, To God my exceeding joy; And upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalm 43:4-5

We choose to trust. We choose to worship. We choose to sing to the Lord. We lean into Him. He is all-sufficient. We so desperately need Him. We don’t want to become self-sufficient, but totally God-sufficient.

Lord, I need You, Oh, I need You. You are my hope and my stay. You are my stronghold. You are the strength of my life. I sing a new song to you today.

Expand Your Territory

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In obedience to God’s leading to take better care of my body, I began the weight loss and exercise journey this summer. It is amazing how quickly the pounds creep up and display themselves in the oddest ways. When I first started walking regularly, everything hurt as I panted my way back home wondering if I could climb the hill that stood in front of me. How embarrassed I would be if I had to call my husband to rescue me from less than a half-mile walk. As I continued to press on, each day became easier and I walked further. I noticed that after 2 months of regular walking, I wasn’t increasing my steps.

This past Monday when I came to the end of my street, I felt a push to cross over the main road extending my normal walk to the church parking lot. It had been there all summer, but I never imagined that I could walk further. When I stepped into new territory, I had new motivation and fresh determination. Not only could I walk further, I had new energy and desire to keep walking. I turned up the praise music and walked and walked and walked. Counting the steps and checking the mileage was no longer a part of the exercise.

My street had been my normal walking path. My house sat in the middle of that street and the temptation to stop was there each time I passed by. Day after day I believed I couldn’t go any further.

So what made Monday different?

I expanded my territory. I stepped into the new, and was amazed at the difference. I had broken the common routine and rhythm and was on a new journey. Then came the best part...

God began to speak revelation to my heart.

During the summer He called me to new obedience. He stripped away much and led me into a new season of trusting. He spoke to my heart that when I step into the new season and new territory that He was calling me to, there is capability that I was never aware of. When He calls us away from the comfortable, common, old path, He gives new vision, new faith and new vigor. The perspective of everything changes and we stand taller and walk faster.

The main road that I had to cross over is New Hope Road. I crossed over from the old into the New Hope of the new.

Lord I trust you. Increase my faith as I walk in obedience to you.

Lord, give us courage to follow you into new seasons and new territory.

Give us faith to let go of the old and embrace the new.

What new territory do you need to take? Go ahead! Dare to believe the One who leads you.

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Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9