Do you love a good storm? I will tell you that I enjoy watching a storm. I like watching the lightning…at a distance. I don’t mind thunder… as long as it’s not within five miles of me. Observing a storm can remind you of God’s awesome power and control. But for the record…I do not like being in a storm. I cringe at lightning when I’m under an umbrella. Pouring rain and deep puddles? No thanks. I cherish the shelter. I’ll love the storm, with a cup of coffee, sitting in a garage with the door open.
Psalm 107:23-32 paints the scene of sailors caught in an awful storm. Although this was a real account, the lessons learned from these sailors can act as shelters of truth in your storm. Strongholds you might say. The winds might be strong, the waves over your head, the lightning too close for comfort, but you can embrace truths from God’s Word that will keep your head from spinning.
#1 Know that God loves you.
Just because difficult things come into your life, you must not believe the lie “God doesn’t love me anymore.” The theme of Psalm 107 is in verse 43.
Verse 43 says “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD” (emphasis added).
Jesus gave His life for you because He loves you. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” He wanted to save you from punishment for your sins in Hell. He wants to enjoy forever fellowship with you. That’s how vast His love is. Your storm does not reflect His love for you. He does not lose sight of you.
#2 He controls your storm.
Verse 25-26 “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths…”
Verse 29 “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.”
Remember Job? He is a constant reference for the storm-tossed. Satan had to get God’s permission to afflict Job, and God gave His permission. God knew the beginning of Job’s storm but He also put a limit on Job’s storm. It is a comfort to know that God is in control.
#3 Storms are to point you back to Him.
Verses 27-28 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.
The purpose of your storm is not to make you miserable, but to bring you to the end of yourself and place you in dependence on Him. These sailors had exhausted all their resources to save the ship and their lives, but this storm was out of their control. They were “at their wits’ end.” God wants to bring you to your wits’ end. Not the “I’m-going-crazy” kind of wits’ end. But the “I-cannot-turn-anywhere-else-but-to-God” kind of wits’ end. He wants you to run to Him. He delivered these sailors and He is powerful enough to deliver you too.
#4 God is still good.
Verse 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
No matter your storm, God is still good. That is His forever character; He does not change. Lovingkindness flows from Him. When life is great, we are satisfied. But when God brings a storm, we almost get angry. We feel entitled as Christians that nothing bad should ever happen to us. Because of our entitlement attitude of “everything should be sunshine,” we think of God as turning against us, that He doesn’t care. We taint His love with unkindness. Avoid entitlement; acknowledge His everlasting kindness.
#5 Storms display God’s power.
Verse 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
God is doing something great in your storm. Don’t lose sight of Him. He may reveal sin in your life, save a soul around you, or strengthen you for a task to come. He is purifying you. Job 23:10 says “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” He will do a work and His power will be displayed. You may not see it when all you feel is anguish, but keep your eyes on Him.
#6 You will always be safe.
Verse 30 Then are they glad because they [the waves] be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. (parantheses mine)
If you are saved, then you are forever safe in His hands. Eternal security is sure. Your soul is safe. No storm, no matter how difficult, can ever take away your salvation in Him. He will bring you safely Home. Rest in His eternal plan for you, to spend forever with Him in Heaven. To live forever in the joy of His presence, free from the burden of sin, will be indescribable.
The psalmist of Psalm 107 concludes this section with praise.
Verse 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
When God delivers you from your storm, don’t forget to praise Him. It is so easy to relish the relief and move on. Praise Him for His powerful deliverance. Even in the middle of your storm, you can praise Him. It may not feel comfortable because it is a whole lot easier to pity yourself than praise Him. It is easier to focus on the storm, than the all-powerful God of the storm. Nobody likes being in a storm. Distress, uneasiness, discomfort, and turmoil all surface in a storm. But God is doing a work that you cannot immediately see. Don’t resent the storm. Hope in the God of the storm!