Shelter in the Storm
I see that there’s trouble all around me brewing.
Could it be that this madness is of my own doing?
Caught in my pride, I’ve pushed you aside, and I’m on my own again.
I stop, and I hear the storm clouds start to thunder.
I drop to my knees in prayer, but then I wonder,
What do you see when you look at me, ‘cause I’ve fallen once again?
But you are my God. You are my shelter in the storm, and I love you, Lord.
I pray when the darkest clouds fall down around me.
You say that forever will your love surround me.
Then through my tears, you conquer my fears, and I see the light again.
I cried, and you came down into this madness.
You died, so that you could change my tears to gladness.
You are my King; your praises I sing, as I worship you again.
You are my God. You are my you are my shelter in the storm, and I love you, Lord!
Luke 8:22-25: Jesus Calms the Storm
This is a very interesting section of Luke that falls in between Jesus ministering through a variety of parables and the casting out of unclean spirits. Jesus had begun his ministry and had chosen the twelve to accompany him. Already they had watched him heal the sick, give sight to the blind, and even bring the dead back to life.
Now they found themselves in a boat with their Master asleep and a raging storm that threatened to capsize the boat, and in spite of the miracles they had already witnessed, they were afraid. Several of them were fishermen by trade and, most likely, they attempted to use that knowledge and ability to steady the boat, but the waves were just too strong. Finally, in a panic, they woke Jesus saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24b) Jesus woke up, stood up calmly, and commanded the waves and wind to be still. And what was the reaction of the twelve? Luke says that they were amazed! Amazed? They had watched this man raise the dead and yet they were amazed that he could also calm a storm?
Why is it so hard to trust Jesus? He created the universe and he created us. Is it really so hard to believe that he could be of use in our day-to-day lives? The lyrics to “Shelter in the Storm” contain a phrase that says, “Caught in my pride, I’ve pushed you aside and I’m on my own again.” Could our own pride be one of the primary reasons behind our lack of trust? Do we really think that we are capable of handling life on our own? Are we really that prideful?
You may be thinking, “It’s not my pride. I just believe that God helps those who help themselves.” (I used to think the same thing!). But nowhere in the Bible does it ever say this. Nowhere does it say, “Thou shalt not even bother coming to me until you have absolutely exhausted all other resources or at least given it the old college try!” What it does say is this, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) Did you catch that? It says, “do not depend on your own understanding.” So does God simply want us to lie around all day waiting for him to cater to our every need? No. He is saying that we simply are not equipped to handle life on our own. Remember, God has the “higher vision”. He knows the best way to handle things. He knows the path that will lead you to joy. He knows how to keep you from harm. He knows how to prepare you to fulfill his purpose for you in life.
But there is another reason why it can be hard to trust our Lord. Sometimes, we believe that he can do things, but that he simply won’t do them for us. We may feel that we have fallen too far, or that God is too busy, or that he simply doesn’t care enough about us, or that he simply won’t come through.
The Bible tells us something different. Over and over again the Bible tells us how much God loves us. Look at these verses:
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?… No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35, 37-39
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Matthew 6:26-30
“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?”
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Romans 5:8-11
God loves you and he has your best interests at heart. And God is fully capable of taking care of you.
I have often heard it said that the true definition of insanity is repeating the same behavior over and over again and expecting a different result. Are you finding yourself repeatedly having the same problems? Are you feeling anxious about your future? Is your hard work and effort gaining you real happiness or just momentary glimpses of it? Is it time to give your life to God and see what he can do with it?
If you are still having a hard time letting go, consider what Paul tells us in Ephesians.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12
Are you equipped to take on the demons of hell who are waging war on your life and the lives of your family? Trust God. Pray about everything. Put your worry and fear aside and let him work. Trusting God is challenging – but it’s worth everything!
Related Devotional
Resources
“How the Habit of Trust Transforms Your Life” by Joyce Meyer: How the Habit of Trust Transforms Your Life
“12 Proven Ways to Trust God Completely” 12 Proven Ways to Trust God Completely
Music and lyrics by LuAnne Barnet. Copyright (c) 2003 LuAnne Barnet. All Rights Reserved
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a Division of Tyndale House Ministries, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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