The Eye of the Storm

The devastation of Harvey is almost unprecedented. The rainfall--43 inches in Houston, TX over only five days--completely shattered previously held records. The death toll is now at 70. It is close to, if not is, the most costly storm in our nation's history.

And yet, Harvey may have a challenger to some of those records already.

Hurricane Irma is bearing down on Florida. A category 5 storm, It's already decimated the Caribbeans, leaving at least 22 dead. It is expected to hit landfall late tonight in the USA, possibly still as a category 5 storm. Or, "at best", it will be a category 4 storm. By comparison, Hurricane Sandy was a category 2 storm as it approached New Jersey. By the time it hit the cold Northern air just before landfall, it wasn't even classified as a hurricane.

Hurricane Irma is poised to be very, very fierce. It will be deadly and destructive. It will make history.

As a reporter from ABC news puts it: "Whenever man and mother nature meet, it's a mismatch."

But that's the point, do we want to face this storm alone? We are hopelessly outmatched. We can't stop the storm. All we can do is predict Irma's destruction, flee from it, and come back to clean up the devastation when it's run its course. Without a hope of some higher force than the forces of nature--without hope of the supernatural--we are left to pick up the pieces, despondent and despairing.

But there is hope! Hope in a God who is mightier than any storm, hope in the God who created the universe with nothing but the breath of his mouth. As Psalm 93:4 reassures us:

More than the sounds of many waters, than the mighty breakers of the sea, The Lord on high is mighty.

With God, we can face any trial or storm with confidence, trusting that He has a grander plan than ours, even in the storm. Yes, He could protect us from all storms, but in the end, do you think that would be best for us? We are fickle, wandering people. So often we turn from God in seasons of comfort and pleasure to our own desires and our own gods. Maybe God is orchestrating natural disasters in our nation to catch our attention again. Maybe He loves us enough to give us some hard discipline so that we might fall on our knees, repent of our self-serving, self-sufficient ways, and humble ourselves before the mighty hand of God. Can these trials strengthen our faith? Will our faith not only endure, but grow stronger through these storms?

I'm reminded of our ultimate example, Jesus, and how He stood up to the intense personal storm He faced right before His death. Jesus's last hours were a non-stop hurricane of intense drama and tragedy.An angry mob encircled Him; His disciples betrayed, denied, and abandoned Him; mock courts condemned Him; blindfolded, they beat Him; A spineless leader didn't have the guts to release Him; Romans whipped and degraded Him; crowds taunted Him even as He hung on the cross! And yet, through it all, Jesus remained utterly calm. You see, He trusted the Father's will and had completely submitted Himself to it. Jesus was the calm eye of the storm while the powerful forces of bitter rage and injustice swirled around him--and ultimately destroyed him, for three days at least.

Let me be clear, Jesus could have at any time stopped the storm. In fact, we catch a glimpse of this in John 18 where Jesus merely utters "I AM" and the mob sent to arrest Him are blown back to the ground. Tens of thousands of angels waited for the Lord to but utter the command, and they would have completely obliterated the opposition! But yet Jesus walked through the storm, knowing that the Father had a better plan, and look at what amazing good is in the world because of it!

We may be called to walk through these storms, but there is a way to walk through them with calm confidence. Hurricane Irma is still coming. We can't override God's will and stop it, but what we can do is put our trust in God. Let's humble ourselves, confessing all our anxious thoughts to Him. Let's repent and make Him the Lord of our lives! And please, join me in prayer for everyone in the path of the storm. Let us pray that these storms will turn our nation back to the only God who can save us, so that we can again be a nation who says fullheartedly, "In God We Trust."

Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for my soul takes refuge in You, and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge. Until destruction passes by. I will cry to God most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.

Psalm 57:1-2

Fruits of the Spirit: Peace

Peace

Peace.

We have all heard the word, and most of us probably even know the universal hand signal for peace (holding your pointer finger and middle finger straight up while folding the rest of your fingers against your palm). Hippies have made the word “peace” both a greeting and a battle cry. Of course, the peace they want is one that just won’t work with us sinful human beings. Sorry to break your bubble, guys, but “world peace” will never be accomplished till Jesus returns.

 There is, however, another peace, a peace that can be obtained through Jesus Christ alone. This peace can set you free from fear and worry. This peace will enrich your life. This peace is the third fruit of the Holy Spirit.

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27)

The peace Jesus offers is not of the world. This third fruit of the Holy Spirit is found in our assurance of our salvation through Jesus Christ and God’s presence alone. Let me try and explain.

First, salvation. When you accept Jesus as Lord, your whole mindset changes. Your mind is no longer set on the flesh (sin), for that is death, but on the Holy Spirit who brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). In essence, salvation frees you from worry of death and punishment and replaces it with assurance of life and your eternal destiny. Salvation gives you peace with God, something we all desperately need.

Secondly, God’s presence. When any one of us becomes a Christian, we no longer have to worry about the things of the world, for we know that God is with us and will work all things together for our good. I am sure most of you can quote this verse by heart, but I will go ahead and post it below anyway:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 With the peace this passage brings we can confidently say with Paul:

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Sure there will still be wars; sure there will still be trials; but we will never be separated from the love of God! And in His love He will work all things together for our good. Now that is peace that surpasses all understanding.

Practical application

I am Buzz Lightyear, and I come in peace.”

I often ran around when I was a little guy repeating that line with my Buzz Lightyear action figure in hand. Good ‘ole Buzz always came in peace, but alas, the evil Zurg was always lurking around the corner (in my other hand), waiting to challenge Buzz to a less-than-peaceful game of laser tag. (Of course, Buzz always won his battles, but that is beside the point)

In much the same way, there always seems to be enemies that arise against us as we try to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Whether it is doubt, worry, anxiety, or whatever else, often times any of these can steal away the peace in our hearts.

But don’t let ‘em. Instead, remember what Paul said. Nothing can separate us from God! He is the source of our peace, and in Him we can remain peaceful no matter the circumstances.

There is some practical application as well, for we are given a weapon in Philippians chapter 4 to combat any anxiety or anything else that would try to steal away our peace:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

I know there will be times when all of us will feel quite the opposite of peaceful, but that is not what God wants for us. He has given us peace beyond comprehension; let’s live in it! Don’t keep your worries and your fears; make them known to our almighty God! He will give you His peace again, and it will guard your heart and mind.

There is also a practical way to live out this peace, for as we live out our Christian lives, peace should overflow to everyone around us! As children of God, we should be peacemakers (Mathew 5:9)! As Paul commands:

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. (Romans 12:18)

No, I am not recanting what I said at the beginning of this post. It is a clear Biblical fact that world peace will not come till the Millennial Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean I am against peace. As far as it depends on us, we should seek to establish peace with all men! Unfortunately, though, there will always be “Zurgs” out there who would rather blow off our heads for their own personal gain or because of their beliefs than to ever make peace with us. Paul through the Holy Spirit knew what he was writing when he wrote that bit about “as far as it depends on you.”

Paul also knew through the Holy Spirit what he was writing about when he gave us the practical advice on how to live out this peace with men in the verses before and after Romans 12:18. Though the passage is too long to post here, I would highly suggest you read Romans 12:9-21. It is an awesome passage on the Christian life!

 It is clear that as Christians, we are to be at peace whenever possible. And hey! That gives me an idea. How about we Christians steal Buzz Lightyear’s greeting?

“I am Kyle Bowes, and I come in peace.”