In the Middle of the Storm

 

Many people have the idea that being a Christian, a person who not only believes that Jesus is God but who follows Him with all of their life, will never have storms in their life. That followers of Jesus will not have difficult times or struggles in their lives. They will never doubt God.

 

The truth is that, as followers of Jesus, we live in a fallen world and will face struggles, difficult times, grief, and doubt.

 

In John 16:33 Jesus tells us we will have troubles. He says, “In this world you will have troubles.”

 

We read about a storm that the Twelve faced and we read about what Jesus did for them in the midst of the storm.

 

Matthew 14:22-24

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.

 

Some storms come because we create them for ourselves.

 

We make ungodly decisions.

We listen to ungodly advice.

We desire ungodly things.

 

The storm that the Twelve find themselves is because they obeyed Jesus. Storms in our lives can come because of our obedience to Jesus.

 

The Twelve are in the storm because they obeyed what Jesus told them to do. The Twelve had to be asking some questions.

 

Why are we out here?

Where is Jesus?

Why is this happening?

Did we do something wrong?

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is obeying God no matter where it leads.

 

Jesus, according to verse 23, was praying.

 

There is no indication that Jesus was doing anything else. He didn’t eat. He didn’t chat. He didn’t sleep. He prayed. Jesus was so intent in prayer that He persisted even though His robe was soaked and His hair was matted. After He’d served all day long (feeding the five thousand), He prayed all night. He felt the gale-force winds and the skin-stinging rain. He, too, was in the storm, but still He prayed.

 

Where is Jesus when we face our storms?

 

Romans 8:34

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

 

The word interceding in this verse is a very strong word. It means making specific requests or petitions before someone.

 

When we are in the middle of the storm Jesus is right where He was when the Twelve were in the storm, He is praying, interceding for us. Jesus is interceding, making requests to the Father for us.

 

Hebrews 7:25

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

 

Jesus is continually making intercession for us.

 

Jesus intercedes in the good times.

Jesus intercedes in the bad times.

Jesus intercedes in the in-between times.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is knowing that Jesus is praying and interceding for us all the time.

 

If Jesus loves us and if Jesus is all powerful and if Jesus is Lord of my life, then shouldn’t my life be storm free?

 

If Jesus is praying for us, why did the storm even happen? Wouldn’t an interceding Jesus guarantee a storm-free life? Yes! That storm-free life will be inaugurated in the eternal kingdom of God that we will one day enter. Between now and then, since this is a fallen world and since the devil still stirs doubt and fear and temptation, we can count on storms. But we can also count on Jesus’ prayers and His presence in the storm.

 

Matthew 14:25

But in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.

 

Matthew 14:32

And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

 

Jesus comes to the Twelve as they struggled in the storm. And after Peter walked on the water and then sank into sea, Jesus got him into the boat and stilled the storm.

 

The second part of John 16:33 says, “But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

 

Yes, we will face storms in this earthly life, but Jesus will show up and overcome the storm.

 

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is trusting that Jesus will show up and overcome every trouble we face.

 

So, when you and I face storms, we need to remember and trust that Jesus is praying for us, that He will show up for us, and overcome the storm.

 

With Jesus in the Storm Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                                   Joe