The Storms of Life

The message was brought by Rev. John Surber.

Paul was blessed.  Doors were opened for him to speak for God.  He took every opportunity to tell others of his experience on the road to Damascus.  He was there to do evil and the Lord called from heaven.  The Lord doesn’t save because of our ability or who we know.  It is of the Lord’s mercies.  We can help others out along life’s way after we receive it.

Acts 27: ¹⁴ But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. ¹⁵ And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. ¹⁶ And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: ¹⁷ Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. ¹⁸ And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship; ¹⁹ And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. ²⁰ And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

You’ve either been in a storm, are in one now or will have one.  Some things happen to everybody. We had a little shower earlier.  Some people are close to God; others are wicked.  God rained on all.  We’ll all have good and bad come upon us.  Many storms of life happened in the Bible.  There is a purpose for the storms.  God is well aware of what’s going on.  He’s in full control.  He allows Satan an amount of leeway to bring storms to us, but nothing is hid from God.

God controls the winds and can send a small, medium or large storm.  He makes everything including the one on this day.  He does nothing to waste time.   Romans 8:28 tells us all things—good and bad—work together for good.  We may not understand it all but we can know some good will come from the storms in our life.

God got glory out of this storm in Acts.  There were 276 souls saved from the storm and landed safely.  No matter how fierce the winds blow, know that it may just be for the glory of God.  It could be to teach us things.  We need to trust him more.  We can learn many lessons in a time of storm.  It could be to strengthen your faith.  Paul had a message from God and he believed it.  Verse 25 says wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  Storms can cause us to believe God.  If he tells you it will be a certain way, believe him.

There are natural storms, spiritual storms, and financial storms, to name a few.  They come because you’re in the perfect will of God.  Satan came against Job; he experienced a financial, spiritual and health storm.  He was in the will of God.  Maybe storms come because you’re out of God’s will.  Jonah got out of God’s will and found out he couldn’t hide from God.  No one can help us like God can.  I’m confident the people here were convicted.  God had something to say to all 276 of them.

You can see the purpose of your storms.  You can see the power of storms.  Verse 4 mentions contrary winds.  Sometimes we face contrary winds in life.  Verse 7 speaks of compelling winds that kept them from achieving what they needed to do.  Some storms bring compelling winds that sidestep us.  In verses 10-11 Paul told them not to sail.  He warned against it, but they didn’t listen to the man of God.  God’s not wasting time.  We need to listen to the man of God.  Messengers of God are made fun of these days.  Some say we have no business telling anyone what to do.  We warn people.  That’s what we’re to do.

We can’t go on supposing about the storm.  You may think you have it under control.  That’s what the people here thought.  If you fail to give God glory, you will fail.  Don’t try to do it on your own.  Proverbs tells us to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding.  If we acknowledge the Lord he will direct our paths.

There were uncontrollable winds, beyond the measure of man.  Remember the storms that came through Glade Spring a few years ago.  Men were thrown from homes and died.  We cannot control our storms.  The people in Acts had continuous winds and storms for several days.  Sometimes storms seem to go on and on.  These people didn’t see the sun for 14 days.  It was dark and black.  Winds are coming.  Storms will come.  We can stand on the solid rock if we trust in God.

Now, let’s look at the promise.  Paul got alone with God.  He interceded with God for everyone on the ship.  People are in storms and need our prayers.  It’s good to be a servant of God.  Don’t be ashamed.  The book of Revelation says we’ll serve him forever.  Paul got a promise from God.  He had been afraid too.  We don’t get to the point of not needing to hear from God.  No matter how bad the storm gets believe God and trust him.  The promise was found in prayer and Paul passed it on to the others.  We can get good news in the midst of our storm.  Give thanks to God.

The days may get dark, but a better day is coming.  Jesus is coming from heaven.  We’ll be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  Talk about a reunion!  In stormy weather, call on the Savior.  You’ve been brought out of storms before.  Praise God.  Whatever storms you’re in now, go to God.  Never think prayer can’t help.