What do you do when storms hit your life and you are unsure of what to do? If innocent Joseph was put into prison, if Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, if Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were not spared from being tossed into the fiery furnace, who are we to complain when troubles happen in our lives? If Jesus was mocked, tortured, whipped and crucified on our behalf; then we too cannot escape hardships. We can learn from the examples mentioned above and comprehend how to focus on Jesus and trust Him even when the going gets tough.
Sometimes Abba Father remains silent when we pray and pray and seek help, yet He DOES hear us. Sometimes Jesus seems to be asleep like He was in the storm with His disciples, and they were very fearful, not knowing that their Lord was testing their faith. I remember a true story about a farmer who hired a teenage orphan, Jonathan, to work on his farm. When the farmer asked Jonathan how he might manage the work, the lad replied, “I can sleep well in storms.” One night there was a strong wind and storm. The farmer got up to check that all the animals’ sleeping places were closed and locked. When he went to the horse stables, and to the pigs’ and sheep’ pens, also to the hen and chicken coops; they were all closed and locked. Even the windmill was firmly locked. The farmer went indoors and peeked into Jonthan’s room where he was fast asleep and he remembered the words, “I can sleep well in storms.”
Can we sleep well during storms, like Jesus did in the rocking boat, like Jonathan did during the farm’s storm? Recently I listened to a sermon online and the pastor said, “HOW WE RESPOND TO TROUBLE, DETERMINES THE OUTCOME.” When God allowed Satan to sift and hurt Job, Job’s response was, “Though He (God) slay/kill me, YET I WILL TRUST/HOPE in HIM…” (Job 13:15) Job later also said in Job 23:11 – “But He (God) knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
May we too, come “forth as gold” when in fiery furnaces or when facing persecution, illness, relationship problems, death of loved ones, lack of money or whatever tribulations might attack us. We do not know what the future holds for us, but we DO know WHO holds the future.
Blessed Father God, thank You that You always remain in control when we trust You. Thank You that You say in Isaiah 43:1b and 2 – “…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Thank You for Your protection and love precious Saviour. Amen
Myrtle Turunen