Not the best day for flying, but there I sat on the tarmac at JFK International Airport. I started wondering if they might cancel the flight after forty minutes of weather delays. A stalled storm system had blanketed the entire east coast with dark clouds and cold rain for the past three days. I overheard one lady whisper, “I’m not sure the sun will ever shine again.” But finally, the plane taxied toward the runway and the Captain announced, “prepare for take-off”. You could hear passengers breathe a sigh of relief from the front to back. The plane climbed higher and higher through the darkness. I could barely see the tip of the wing through the haze. But then, like a floodlight turned on in a dark room, sunshine beamed through the windows. The sun was shining the entire time, just hidden by clouds.
People often encourage those experiencing dark times in their life by telling them, “Don’t worry the sun will shine again.” However, the reality is the sun never stops shining. Its light is merely obscured by the clouds of trouble, pain, disappointment, sorrow, etc. During those times we should fix our thoughts on the fact He is with us and learn to rise above our dark places. Our plane flew over several more storms crossing the Atlantic, but we remained in the bright sunlight far above them until we descended for our landing in London. Clouds again blocked the sunlight, but I knew it was there, I just saw it for the past six hours.
Serving Christ doesn’t give immunity from troubles. Life comes with storms in nature and in our spiritual journey. Yet believers have the assurance through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit He is always with us through every storm. I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever (Joh 14:16). No two storms in nature or our spiritual life is the same. In nature the intensity varies from a few claps of thunder to an EF 5 tornado; the length of time differs from a sprinkle to a time like when Otis, Oregon experienced 79 straight days of measurable precipitation.
What causes the storms we experience? First and probably foremost storms are a natural part of life. The Father . . . causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Mat 5:45). On the other hand, we can create our own storms through sin, disobedience, a poor choice, etc. Jonah is a prime example. He tried to run away from God’s will. The Lord hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea (Jonah 1:4). Jonah acknowledged to the ship’s crew the Lord caused it because of his disobedience. He told them if they threw him overboard the storm would stop. So they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging (Jonah 1:15). Stop and ask yourself how many of your storms have been self-generated or if disobedience is causing the storm you are facing.
None of us like to hear the fact that God sometimes orchestrates storms to test our faith, make us grow, ready us for a greater storm and make us steadfast. For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete [mature], lacking in nothing (James 1:3, 4 ESV). Last, we go through storms because we allow other people to drag us into their troubles. King Jehoshaphat of Judah foolishly joined with King Ahab of Israel in a battle against Ramoth-gilead, which was Israel’s battle not Judah’s. Worst, he took advice from Ahab that he should wear his royal robe while Ahab disguised himself. It almost cost Jehoshaphat his life. A randomly shot arrow killed Ahab. Proverbs give good advice about getting dragged into someone else’s storm. Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears (Prov 26:17 ESV).
Here’s the main point—the sun [Son] never stopped shining in any of the above examples. He is with us not just above the clouds; the Holy Spirit remains in us and with us. Are you focused on the storm or the One who promised to keep you through the storm? Jesus told His disciple to take their boat and cross to the other side. He went to pray. A storm arose, and the waves battered the boat. Jesus came walking on the turbulent water. Peter said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. And He said, “Come!”” Peter walked for some distance but then he took his eyes off Jesus and remembered the storm. Seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink. But Jesus was there. Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him (Matt 14: 28-31).
Sustaining Word for the Week: (From the poem: The Good Timber) Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The more the storm, the more the strength. By sun and cold, by rain and snow, in trees and men good timbers grow.