Till the Storm Passes By

Recently our choir sung the old song from 1958 by Mosie Lister entitled “Till the Storm Passes By” and the words kept replaying in my mind. I asked God to reveal to me His message for us in that song for such a time as this. In the Bible there are many times that God provided protection for His people from natural storms. God’s power and authority are demonstrated through His control over natural disaster, but storms often symbolize the trials and tribulations of life, challenging faith and encouraging trust in God. Isaiah 25:4 encourages us with these words: “You have been a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm.” The Bible provides wisdom and guidance of how to prepare for and get through the storms of our lives and follow the path of God through difficult times. God drew me back to a familiar account recorded in three of the Gospels—Matthew 8: 23-27; Mark 4: 35-41 and Luke 8: 22-25 when Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Paul instructs Timothy in 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” I believe that God would have us to closely examine this passage in relation to the events of that time and how it applies to us today.

This event took place early in the ministry of Jesus after He chose His disciples. Every day was a teaching opportunity for them as well as those He ministered to. Let’s look at the background and setting for this teaching. Jesus had been teaching all day and as the day came to a close, He entered into a ship with His disciples and instructed them to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep and there came a violent windstorm on the lake and the ship began to take on water. They were fearful that the ship was going to sink. In other words, they had a panic attack or a meltdown as we would say! They woke Him up and said “We are about to perish! The ship is going down!” Jesus arose and according to the Amplified Version “censured and blamed and rebuked the wind and the raging waves.” God carried me back to I Kings 19: 11-12 for further understanding of Jesus’ action. When Elijah stood on the mountain before the Lord, a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks, but the passage said that God was not in the wind! God has all power and authority, but it is His enemy Satan that brings destruction! Instead, God manifests Himself in the still small voice. Likewise, Jesus’ rebuke of the wind brought calm and peace. Jesus said to them: “Why are you so fearful? Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me—in My veracity and My integrity?” The disciples were amazed and said: “Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him?” Jesus’ lesson to them and to us is “faith in God overcomes fear from the devil.” Another Sea of Galilee account of Peter walking on the water to Jesus reveals that when he looked at his dilemma fear gripped him, and he began to sink as he took his eyes off Jesus. We must fix our eyes on Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith! (Hebrew 12:2)

A Bible teacher from long ago taught me that when we read scripture that we must get into the “skin” of the people of that time! So, I began to look at the place, the time and the circumstances in order to fully grasp the truth of this passage. Because God is sovereign and Jesus did everything that the Father commanded, we know that He knew that they were facing a storm. However, He allowed the violent storm to come. It was a teaching moment for the disciples and to us today. In order to strengthen our faith God allows storms to come into our lives so that we will cry out to Him for help and rescue. Each time we see His faithfulness, it increases our faith and belief in Him! Remember, Paul instructs us that God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him so that He gets the glory! Jesus calmed the storm and God got the glory! (Romans 8: 28)

Place: They traveled across the Sea of Galilee to a place revealed in Luke 8: 28-37 as the region of the Gadarenes, derived from the city of Gadara, which was the capital of the Decapolis. The Decapolis region was comprised of ten semi-independent Greek cities under Roman rule which allowed them to maintain their Greek cultural identity and traditions. It boasted of its amphitheaters, historical landmarks, economic prosperity, cultural and ethnic diversity and allegiance to Greek deities. Does any of these characteristics ring true from the study last week on “other gods” that have invaded America? It was no surprise that Jesus’ first encounter was with a demon-possessed man who was tormented by a legion of demons (approximately 2,000) and lived among the tombs. Jesus gave another object lesson to the disciples of the power and authority of God. Jesus cast out the demons and ordered them to enter a nearby herd of pigs, which then rushed down a steep hill and drown in the sea. Like in today’s divided culture in America, there was a mixed reaction from the community! The Gadarenes’ response to Jesus’ miracle was mixed. While the demoniac was freed and returned to his normal state, the community was more concerned about the loss of their pigs and made an urgent demand that Jesus leave. The community’s response highlights the tension between material wealth and spiritual salvation! Another similarity in America today!

Time: Jesus began His public ministry in AD30 and was obedient to complete the plan of God put in place before the foundation of the world. 1. He came to give His life as payment for the sins of the whole world that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. (Matthew 1: 21, John 3: 16) John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1: 29) 2. He came to destroy the devil’s work and dominion and restore God’s kingdom. (I John 3:8) 3. He came to make the Father known. Jesus’ life and teachings revealed the Father’s character and love, demonstrating God’s nature and intentions. (John 14:9) 4. He came to prepare for a second advent. Jesus’ first coming laid the foundation for His second coming, when He will return to take believers to Himself and save those eagerly waiting for Him. (John 13:3, Hebrews 9:28) These reasons are echoed throughout the New Testament, emphasizing Jesus’ role as the Savior, Redeemer, and Messiah. His first advent was a pivotal event in human history, marking the beginning of a new era of salvation and redemption through the Church that has continued for 2000 years.

Circumstances: The Bible documents the storms of opposition that Jesus experienced leading to His death, resurrection and ascension. The devil thought he had won the victory when he orchestrated Jesus’ death, but Jesus willingly laid down His life for the sin of the whole world. Satan did not win that battle because Jesus rose from the dead and is seated at the Father’s right hand. The same spirit of rebellion, fear, idolatry and unbelief that existed during the first coming of Christ is prevalent today as the god of this world seeks to have his kingdom and be worshiped. He knows that his time is short, and he is pulling out all the stops to create storms to distract, discourage, destroy and defeat us so that we take our eyes off Jesus.

What is Jesus’ message to us today from the passage about the storm as God’s Word continues to speak to us and illumine our paths? Jesus knew what lie ahead after the storm that they experienced on the Sea of Galilee. He knew the depth of the allurement of a material lifestyle devoid of God, of a culture that had turned away from God and were drawn to the practices of false religions, where religion had become devoid of truth and dominated by traditions and worldliness. He allowed them to experience a terrifying storm that threatened their lives so that they would call out to Him—to Jesus for rescue and help. He wanted them to depend on the unshakable Sovereign God of the universe, the God of love who is personally and sacrificially interested in each person. Jesus was preparing them for what was ahead that would require great faith and dependence on Him. He promised them that He would never leave or forsake them and the promise of His Spirit that would live within them and empower them to overcome the storms of life. He knew that the real quality of our faith is evident when the bottom drops out and we don’t have anyone to turn to but God. These are the lessons He wanted them to learn, and these are the same that He wants us to learn today. We have no idea what the next storm will be as we face one after another in our world today. I go back to the words of “Till the Storm Passes By.” “In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face; While the storm howls above me, And there’s no hiding place; Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry; Keep me safe till the storm passes by; Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand; Keep me safe till the storm passes by.” This is the faith that Jesus was referring to as He sought to prepare the disciples for what was ahead and that is the faith that we must have as we face the storms ahead. It is time to fix our eyes on Jesus, trust Him, and confess our unwavering confidence that He is in control. He and He alone can calm the storms of life and when He does everyone will recognize that He rules and overrules and He will get the glory!

I want to leave you with some thoughts as we continue to move into unknown waters as a nation and most assuredly as Christians. President Donald Trump began early in his term in office to embrace and amplify messages about the Storm. On October 6, 2017, during a White House dinner with top military commanders, Trump said, “Maybe it’s the calm before the storm.” (Seven years later we are seeing the validity of that statement.) On August 29, 2019, in the Rose Garden at an event establishing the U.S. Space Command, he said “It’s something very important for me to be here. The storm looks like it could be a very, very big one indeed.” In 2022 Trump begins to openly embrace and amplify “The Storm Is Coming.” Then on February 23, 2023 he said “The Storm is upon us.” He has established Project 2025 Storm anticipating his presidential transition project with the promise to dismantle and destroy the evil embedded deep within this nation and especially in regards to our children. Yes, it is apparent that America is in the midst of a storm that shakes the very foundations of this nation and our beliefs as Christians. It will not be by the might nor power of man that we get safely through the storm but by GOD’S SPIRIT! (Spoken by an angel in Zech. 4:7 during the reign of King Cyrus who Jews liken to Trump). “The nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge.” (Ps. 73:28)

Dr. Stanley gives us these instructions as we prepare for the storm. “It is crucial to be on the right track mentally when you are about to undergo difficult times…You must decide that you won’t allow anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, fear, or doubt to plague you. When you face situations beyond your control, these negative attitudes can paralyze and even defeat you completely. On the other hand, if you respond with the right mental attitude—viewing circumstances from God’s perspective and understanding who you are in Christ (chosen and protected by Him, born again to a living hope, and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to do His will)—then you can walk victoriously through difficulties, knowing they will not last forever…You can face your difficulties with faith and confidence in your Redeemer, for He is your “refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) This is God’s story foretold in His Word. He knows every player, every detail of the battle, and the final outcome—God wins and we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loves us and gave Himself for us! Again, Dr. Stanley gives us our marching orders as we face the STORM: “The enemy comes as an angel of light—a sly counterfeit of God’s truth—don’t fall for it. He has four objectives: to come between you and Jesus, to make you doubt Scripture, to tempt you to sin, and to destroy your usefulness to the kingdom of God. So, watch out for him, and make sure you’re staying in step with the Lord.” We are in the palm of His hand as the STORM PASSES BY! God has it and He specializes in things that are impossible!