JOHN 6:16-21 – When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE STORMS IN LIFE. Life is full of storms. We go few days without some “stormy weather” rolling into our lives. We face tough trials, trying circumstances, tense relationships, and a host of other difficulties in our daily roles, routines, and responsibilities. Life is simply hard. And God has told us it would be like this (John 16:33). It is the reality of living in a sinful world full of troubles and tribulations. Yet, there is a different angle from which we must see the storms in our lives.

In the midst of the storms which come into our lives, the remaining sin in us and our bent toward comfort may cause us to grumble and complain. There is a very real temptation to whisper, “Why is this happening? I don’t deserve this. It isn’t fair.” When this occurs, two things have happened in our hearts and minds.

First, as Christians, we have forgotten this world is not our home. We belong to a different world, an eternal one in which righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). We are not to seek comfort in this fleeting world. We are not to be comfortable in a world that is in rebellion to God. We should not expect or seek a life free from storms. The unbeliever does that and complains when it isn’t so. For the Christian, complaining makes us like unbelievers who seek a problem-free life in a problem-filled world. Such a mindset truly tells us we have forgotten “that we are strangers and exiles on the earth; a people desiring a better country, that is a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:14-16).

Another thing has happened in the heart of Christians when we grumble and complain about life’s problems and difficulties. We have forgotten where the storms came from and why they came. In today’s scripture, we have a physical illustration of a spiritual truth. The disciples head out to sea. As they cross the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, they encounter rough seas. The crashing waves compounded with the dark night generated fear in these seasoned sailors. But then, Jesus appears walking on the water. Initially, they are frightened at His appearance, but as is always the case, when Jesus appears to His people and commands “Don’t be afraid”, their fear is gone. However, notice what isn’t gone. The storm. God’s Word doesn’t say Jesus removed the storm. And the lessons for us? Two. First, when we feeling the crashing waves of trials coming over us, remember who created the storm. Jesus. The Creator. This difficulty didn’t just show up like a sudden storm does on the Sea of Galilee. No. The Savior walking on the water is the Creator who made the water, and the storm. God sovereignly orchestrates all things in our lives to include the storms. The second lesson about storms in our lives is they are for good purposes. Always. God uses pain and difficulties to humble us, make us more dependent on Him, and mold us into the image of His Son. Without storms, we will grow complacent and comfortable in a world not our home. We need storms. Even intense ones for our good.

So, as the storm clouds roll into our lives, and they will, don’t complain. Look to the One who is sending the storm and then seek His face to understand what is behind its purpose. He will show us and we will learn from it.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to see storms in my life are necessary and serve good purposes.”

QUOTE: “Jesus creates the storms in our lives and is with us in those storms in our lives.”