"Till the Storm Passes By"
Two significant wind storms buffeted us in the last week. Large trees swayed too and fro in steady winds of over thirty miles per hour. The radio antennas behind our property sand as the gusts of nearly sixty mph blew through them like breath over oboe reeds. When it was over, broken limbs were strewn over the driveway and lawn. Down along the bay, driftwood and other debris littered the road and hindered progress. In many areas, this might have been a big deal. It is common here during the Spring and Fall, so we learn to patiently wait out the storm.
In Acts 27, the Apostle Paul encountered a storm as he was being taken to Rome. From Scripture, we learn that the seamen were familiar with storms during that time of year. They even had a name for them - much like we might refer to "El Nino" or a named hurricane or typhoon. Verse 20 tells us that the men on board the ship were aware that they were caught up in "no small tempest". We also note that those big strong seamen, who were familiar with that kind of storm lost all hope of being saved - rescued- from the storm.
All of them except the Apostle Paul. He was comforted by the presence of "the angel of God" and confident of deliverance because of the promises of God.
The wind storms over Birch Bay last week were significant, but the storms that batter and buffet each of our lives daily easily overshadow most weather events. We face storms that involve illness, injury, bereavement, and loss of assets daily. The world blows criticism and complaint in our faces constantly. And we are exhorted to face THOSE storms the same way that Paul did. He remained confident in the promises of God's Word.
Time and again, Scripture encourages us with passages such as Philippians 4 (It would be easy to cite verses six and seven, but the whole chapter is such a blessing in times of trouble and trial, that you should read it entirely.). "Be careful for nothing...", "think on THESE things", "... and the God of peace shall be with you." That's how to
