Standing Still in the Storm

Scriptures: Ephesians 6:13 – Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

 Psalms 46:1:10 -  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the [c]tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be [d]moved; God shall help her, just [e]at the break of dawn. 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Matthews 7:24-27 – Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Storms are defined as “a disturbance of the atmosphere marked by rain, snow, hail, thunder or lightning” by Merriam Webster’s dictionary. Storms are fascinating things to me, but I have no desire to go outside into one of them. Yes, sometimes I’ve gotten caught out in a storm before I got  to my destination, but I have total respect for God and His awesome storms to ever think I can handle them on my own. Have you ever been in a rain storm such as a hurricane or a thunder storm? What about a blizzard? You have no control over when a storm starts, what it consists of, where it comes from, where it’s going, or when it will end. The same is true for the storms we go through individually and corporately.

What does the Bible say about what we should do in a storm? Many scriptures I’ve read tell me to be still: Psalm 46:10; Psalm 23:2; Ephesians 6:13; Matthew 4:38. I believe that God wants us to be still so that we can listen to Him. Have you ever noticed the stillness of nature immediately after a storm? It’s as if all of nature is holding its breath in awe of the power that was just demonstrated. After a blizzard the landscape is covered in pristine, brilliant white snow that hurts your eyes to look directly at it in the daytime. Or if it’s nighttime, there’s a glow that illuminates the landscape. The beauty of it is awesome!

I can’t help but think that storms cause us to have the opportunity to witness God’s majesty, behold His beauty, and stand in awe of His power. While your storm is raging, stand still and see God’s power at work for you.

Prayer: Lord, storms can cause us to be fearful and to panic, but Your word overcomes all things. Help us to remember who You are during the storm. You are our deliverer. Forgive us when we look away from You like Peter did -- and  start sinking under the cares of the world. Please help us Lord. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

(by Juliana Thomas)