Storms drive little birds to seek shelter, but the eagle flies higher because of the storm.
Storms drive some from God—others they drive to God.
God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble.
(Ps. 46:1)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.A vessel was almost driven onto a rocky coast during a storm. Contrary to orders, one man went on deck. He saw the pilot holding the wheel unwaveringly, slowly turning the ship back out to sea. When the pilot saw the man, the pilot smiled. The man went below saying, "All is well, I saw the face of the pilot and he smiled."
(Isa. 41:10)
Hudson Taylor said, "It does not matter how great the pressure; it matters only where the pressure lies, whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you closer to his heart."
Character is to the heart what a foundation is to a house. Compromise in either cannot stand in a storm. Listen to the words of Matthew regarding foundations:
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain cam down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.The same pressures come to the good and the bad, but how they abide them proves the character.
(Matt. 7:24-27)
Inward Obedience Provides Outward Growth
Someone has said, "With Jesus in the vessel, I smile at the storm. Fear sees the storm; faith sees God in the storm. Jesus Christ is no security against storms, but He is perfect security in storms. He does not promise an easy passage, but He guarantees a safe landing."
When the Titanic was built, it was called the "unsinkable ship." Yet the world soon learned that this was not true, for the vessel sank after hitting an iceberg.
Contrary to the Titanic, with Jesus in the ship of our lives, no matter how severe the storm, we are unsinkable with Him as our pilot.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dwight Thompson has become one of the most powerful evangelists of our time. Known worldwide for his legendary ability to captivate and move an audience, he has devoted his ministry to touching the lives of all those who are lost and hurting with a message of hope, found through salvation and deliverance in Jesus Christ.
