What a week it was! Bonnie blew in from the Atlantic, Danielle was on its way--just one curious thought, why do they name hurricanes after WOMEN? Seriously, it was one wild week for many on the East Coast, as they watched and weathered the storm. Late-breaking waves are no fun!
Now I love the ocean and live in the Midwest...but I can still see the white sand, smell the salty air, and hear the roaring waves as clearly as if I were there! It's one of my favorite things, and I have wonderful memories of the fun-filled vacations at the shore. But when Bonnie or Danielle decide to appear on a wild weather whim, the fun blows away quickly, and in its place are sirens, TV bulletins, boarded-up windows, and traffic streaming away from it all.
Late-breaking waves can be anything BUT fun, whether they're crashing around you or inside you. For life is filled with stormy weather. We've all been there, and if not, we're on our way, for that's life! And THAT's when we need to take out our Safety Guide and find assurance in God's Word for the frightful waves which break onto the shores of our lives. But no need to drown--let's go to the Well, for the author of the Guide, the Guide Himself, waits for us there!
A Helping Word...or
Two!
Waves of Fear...A Word of Peace!
See it now! Jesus' best friends and followers are crossing the Sea of Galilee, probably enjoying good food and fellowship with their Lord, who in weariness, falls asleep. The waves didn't--for in a short time, they roared and raised their angry backs to some very frightened friends of the Lord. Now, if you're in a boat and there's a storm, it's nice to know the Maker of the sea is IN that boat, even if He IS asleep...But not for long--for if the late-breaking waves didn't arouse him, the frightened voices did. "Master, we perish!" they cried. The "cool, calm, collected" Jesus arose and with one mighty word--three to be exact, commanded to the waves, "Peace be still." They obeyed. And the peace that filled the sea soon filled the hearts of the seamen.
Say it's NOT? They're making waves where there are no waves? No, there's no pretend here. When you're in a storm, you don't pretend. Fear is real, and it can overwhelm you...unless you know the Author of the Book. And when you do, you KNOW He's got a word for YOU--His Word will come alive and speak peace to the storms of your life...even while they rage, He will bring calm to your soul. Try it...He's the Master of the Waves...and the Word! And HE will see you through!
Waves of Failure....A Word of Grace!
See it now! Peter, one of Jesus' best friends, stands by the fire to warm himself. He knows His Master is about to face a dreadful fate through the schemes of sinful men. He loves the Lord, but can't face up to a loyal following of His Lord to death. And he denies the One He loves--three times, just as predicted. Late-breaking waves of sorrow, grief, and despair flood his soul. He's done it--He's failed the One He loved most in this world. He flees in the moment of failure....it's all over, he's sure of it. But not many days hence, hear the words of that same Risen Lord, "Go tell my disciples...and Peter!" The Author of the Book, not yet written, had spoken...and it was words of grace. Words of grace to restore a fallen friend.
Say it's NOT? Peter's making waves where there are no waves? No, there's no pretend here. When you've failed your Lord, you don't pretend. Failure is real, and it can overwhelm you...unless you know the Author of the Book. And when you do, you KNOW He's got a word for YOU--His Word will come alive and speak grace, AMAZING grace, to the storm of sadness that fills your heart. He LOVES you, He FORGIVES you--He's the Master of the Waves...and the Word! And HE will see you through!
Waves of Faith...A Word of Strength!
See it now! A parade of believers marching through Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts--they're people like us, who live, love, breathe, work, eat, sleep, and....make waves? No, these people jump the waves. They see an impossible situation, bring it to their Lord, He speaks a word, and it works! Strength of body, soul, spirit--it's all documented in the Book...one word and the storm obeys. And people who have been through the storms remember the strength....they fear no more...Or do they? How human we are--God brings us through a major storm; we KNOW we will forever be strong and faithful! Then the next wave comes, and BOOM! Down we go, crying, "Help me, Lord. I drown!" And He's there, our loving Lord, with a word, the exact word He knows we need to make it to shore!
Say it's NOT? People make waves where there are no waves? (SOME do, but we won't talk about them...grin..) Of course not--life is difficult, and without faith, the storm will overwhelm us. Unbelief is real, and it can discourage the most faithful believer in the Lord...until he goes back to the Book. Try it--take courage from REAL people's faith as recorded in God's Word, and then read biographies of the saints down through the ages, listen to testimonies of senior Christians who've weathered the storms--and when you do, YOU will be strong, for the same Word that strengthened them in the storm is there for YOU! He's the Master of the Waves..and the Word. And HE will see you through!
Have the waves got you down? Let fear and failure BLOW out to sea...as you rely on the faithfulness of your God. He knows exactly what you are going through...He's watching the waves and YOU--for through it all, He wants to see your faith in Him grow strong. And THEN even the STORM will be worth it all--for through it, you'll come to know the Master of the Waves...and the Word, and you will do more than conquer the storm--you'll RIDE the storm to victory and deep abiding peace in the Name of Your Lord! He's got a WORD for you today...FIND it in His Word. Let it warm your heart, calm your spirit, and touch your soul. There's strength and beauty found ONLY in the waves...and in His Word. May you find it THIS week!
