Divine Calm in the Midst of the Raging Storm (May 31, 2024)

“Who is mighty like You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them.” (Psalm 89:8-9)

Commonly spawned by intense heat and humidity, many of us both admire the natural beauty and respect the awesome fury that can be unleashed by severe thunderstorms. Worldwide, an estimated 16 million thunderstorms occur each year, and at any given moment, roughly 2,000 of them are in progress around the globe, threatening damaging winds and hail, dangerous lightning, and heavy downpours that can generate flash flooding. Just as these often-spectacular weather events can erupt suddenly during the spring and summer seasons, we can expect storms of adversity and hardship to occasionally upset the peace and tranquility of our daily lives. In these most difficult and trying times, we must allow our faith to overcome our fear and respond in a positive manner that promotes the achievement of the purposes for which God sometimes permits the tumult of raging storms to disrupt the calm of our changing lives.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The trials and tribulations that are characteristic of a sin-scarred world temporarily under Satan’s dominion must be endured from time to time. As Christians, however, we know that Almighty God is in sovereign control and is faithful to bring together both the joys and sorrows we experience for the ultimate good of those of us who love Him and seek to serve His divine purposes. We must open our spiritual eyes to see the Creator of the universe working in the midst of the stormy seasons of our lives to both protect and perfect us. We know through faith that He sometimes uses the turbulence of our troubles to guide our spiritual growth and gradually shape us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ! We have the assurances of God’s power, His presence, and His peace that allow us to praise and thank Him continually, and to experience divine calm even in the middle of life’s severest storms.