Storm Watch: Safe in His Eyes

 

Ever so often on life's roadways, we will have to ride out a storm. And as a new minister, God graciously plants words of encouragement on our human existence in my spirit. Below is a sermon I preached on this topic, taken from Luke 8:22-25 (NIV)

²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. ²³ As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. ²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵ “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Every year the National Weather Service alerts us about upcoming storm seasons; how many hurricanes there might be, projected snowfall amounts, potential rain and flooding, wind speeds, or thunder and lightning intensity. These storms can be very damaging to life, livelihood, and property. Remember Mount Pleasant we recently supported relief efforts to flood victims in Sumter SC during this fall season.  It just seems like these storm seasons all meld together.  Much like life, there’s a saying that at any given time we’re either coming out of , in one or going into a storm…whether it’s a challenging relationship, workplace issue, illness or just feeling like the winds are blowing  a lack of favor on our current situation.

Whether we’re facing weather storms or life storms, we look for some help. Hurricane season in particular can be frightening. They’re the subject of much folk lore.

For example in one of Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neal Hurston’s signature books, two of the main characters find themselves in the midst of a hurricane in Florida. Confined to a tiny shanty located in the Everglades, they are contemplating their survival.  An excerpt from the book reads,
"They huddled closer and stared at the door. The wind came back with triple fury and put out the light for the last time. They sat in company with the others in other shanties, their eyes straining against crude walls and their souls asking if He meant to measure their puny might against His. They seemed to be staring at the dark, but as the title of her book notes, Their eyes were watching God.

So who are you watching in the midst of the storms of your life?

In the scripture, the disciples are in the boat with Jesus, sailing across the Sea of Galilee.  All of a sudden the storm, a squall came down. That’s how they show up in our lives. Unpredictable. Even AL Roker or Tom Kieran’s meteorological models aren’t 100%.  And we can be anywhere when storms come down, a ship, a shack, a mansion, riding in our car, sitting at our desk, or in the sanctity of our own home. Storms can even show up in the sanctuary of the church.

Now the disciples became frightened as rough waves tossed the boat. Much like we do when the storm clouds appear in our lives. Many of you may remember growing up that we used to have to sit down somewhere during scary thunder and lightning storms. My grandmother would say be quiet now and let the Lord do His work.

So that’s what the disciples did in v 24. They were watching Jesus and woke Him up from His rest. Because no other Help did they know. Even King Jehosophat in 2 Chronicles, alarmed when facing a tough battle, prayed to God saying We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you."  Because God is also on watch.. an ever-present help in trouble, remaining vigilant, for our protection and safety, his work and will to be done in our lives. The disciples were privileged to watch Jesus in His human self for a little while. He was trying to teach them they should not fear, because like it says in that old hymn, Blessed Assurance Jesus is ours.

So then Jesus arose from his rest and calmed the storm.  And later on in His earthly journey, He arose after a 3 day power nap in the tomb. And He still calms the storms in our lives. For our ultimate safety and salvation  He arose!  

The disciples then ask What manner of man is this! for he commands the wind and water…Jesus was large and in charge.

The word command reminds me of military parades, which for those of us who served we participated in or others may have viewed them. There’s a formation move called, Pass and review, where the soldiers march past what’s called a reviewing stand, which is elevated above the parade ground. Here the command structure is seated, watching the parade.  When the soldiers reach this spot, the senior soldier yells EYES RIGHT, and the soldiers salute while simultaneously turning their heads to the right and looking at the commanders, and they keep marching forward.  Amen! Because we serve The Commander in Chief, with ALL Power and Authority, who sits high and looks low we know storms will eventually pass and we can review our lives to see how He has brought us through.

So are your eyes right when the storm comes… Or are you watching Dr. Phil, the politicians, CNN, or false prophets?  As I mentioned earlier, during my childhood we had to turn everything off when the thunder storms came. Especially the television, and my grandfather would say cut that idiot box off, fixated on that mess. Today, let’s make sure we aren’t watching or listening to the wrong thing or the wrong people.  There’s a whole bunch of uninformed mess being passed around.  Let’s be focused on what saith the Lord in the circumstances of our storm. Look at Him who sits on the command throne of heaven. Glory Hallelujah, His truth is marching on.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

Then are your eyes fixed high on Calvary?  Where Jesus sacrificed His safety for us, tossed and battered by an angry sea of citizens.  Scripture says everything went dark there that day at Golgotha.

Yes storms can bring darkness to the skies and our lives. In the excerpt of the hurricane story I read earlier, it says the storm knocked the light out in their shanty for the last time. But we don’t have to worry about that. Thank God for Jesus, who ascended to heaven and became the eternal light of the world. A constant beacon taking us from shore to shore, even in the storms. And if we keep our eyes on the Him, He will keep us in perfect peace, strengthening our hope for making it through. Our faith can look up to Him, Savior Divine.

 

Reverend Deborah L. Parker

Associate Minister

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Herndon, VA