“I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth.” — Psalm 121:1-2
Calming the Storm
Before the sun rose on a recent morning, dark clouds covered part of the sky, but several stars, as well as the moon, still shined light through the clouds. Though the birds sensed a rainstorm, they still sang. The squirrels climbed up the trees as usual. The fish kept swimming just like they did the day before.
As we see the dark cloud of the coronavirus hover over us, we may be required to make some changes, but we don’t have to be afraid. Fear is not all bad because fear causes a person to put on a helmet before riding a motorcycle for a competition. Race car drivers also have improved safety, which saves lives. Nevertheless, we shouldn’t let fear paralyze us. We still need to eat, sleep, work and worship.
As we deal with our fears, wash our hands and learn to shake hands less, the Bible gives inspiration and guidance on how to deal with sudden storms that come upon us. As the Twelve Disciples traveled with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee, a sudden storm surprised them. The boat rocked and rolled on the rough waves.
In Bible times, they didn’t have weather radar, and little boats turned over and sank easily. Thus, 12 men shook with fear but one man was asleep in the bottom of the boat, and He wasn’t scared. The disciples knew where to go for help. “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).
Since Jesus is God in the flesh, He rules over nature. Suddenly, Jesus stood up and stopped the storm. “‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him’” (Matthew 8:26-27).
As the disciples spent three years with Jesus, they watched him feed thousands of people, heal leprosy, help the blind see, restore hearing to the deaf, help the lame to walk and even raise the dead. After Jesus rose from the dead, they finally learned not to be afraid and they carried the Good News about Jesus everywhere.
As we live, God wants us to be wise and listen, but to also learn not to be afraid. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). It is important to learn to trust God wherever we are and whatever we are doing. “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid…” (Isaiah 12:2).
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Ga.
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