Run To Jesus
When a storm pops up in our lives, we have options. We can retaliate. We can run and hide. We can cower. Or we can do what the disciples did and run to Jesus. Why should we run to Jesus? How can we really trust him to be the one to get us through these storms?
1. Jesus is never afraid.
Have you ever experienced turbulence on an airplane? That's not fun, is it? You're sitting there, and you're holding on for dear life in that seat. Everything's moving and shifting around, and food and drinks are flying everywhere, and you're like, “Oh, please, Lord, don't let this plane fall out of the sky.”
What if, in that moment, the captain came over the PA and said, “Okay, folks, this is your captain speaking. I’ve got to say, I've never seen a storm like this. Please, cross your fingers and hope we get through this.” Who would want a captain like that? We would never get on a plane if we knew the captain was afraid of a little bit of turbulence.
We want a captain who is going to say, “Folks, we're experiencing turbulence here, but we've radioed to the nearest tower and they've allowed us to drop our altitude several hundred feet. So we should be able to have calm and peace here in just a moment. We should be in fine shape, so don't worry. Sorry for the inconvenience. Enjoy your ride.” That's who we want to hear, right? The voice of assurance, the voice of confidence that tells us that this guy has weathered storms before and he's not afraid. And so I'm not going to be afraid.
Jesus has weathered the storms. Jesus climbed mountains, descended valleys, walked in darkness, battled demons, and overcame death. And he's not afraid. Why not go to the one who's been there and done that?
2. He's got the power to overcome any problem.
Nothing is impossible with God.
Nahum 1:3 says, The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will never leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath his feet.
This is a beautiful picture and image of who God is and the power that he has. The clouds are the dust beneath his feet.
Maybe some of you are asking this morning, “Well, if God is so powerful, then why do I have to go through these storms? Why doesn't he just take them all away? Popular pastor and author Chuck Swindoll puts it this way: Life is filled with God appointed storms. A sheet of paper 10 times this size would be insufficient to list the whirlwinds of our lives. Two things should comfort us in the midst of daily lightning and thunder. First, we all experience them. Second, we all need them. God has no method more effective. The massive blows and shattering blasts, not to mention the small, constant irritations, smooth us and humble us and force us to submit to the role that God has chosen for us.
Folks, the storms are going to come. As difficult as they are, as scary as they are, they're going to come. But God has the power to calm them and to use them to refine who we are.
3. He's always with us.
Hebrews 13:5-6 says, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you. Therefore, we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
We don't have to worry about anything because God is right there and he's with us through every single storm.
4. He's the prince of peace.
Philippians 4:7 says, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
In Christ Jesus, we don't have to be afraid.
5. Jesus conquered death.
This is the significance of Christianity. Man's biggest obstacle in life is death. You can't get over that. It's one of the biggest fears that a person can have on this planet, especially for those who are uncertain about what happens after death. But for the follower of Jesus, the Apostle Paul eases our mind in Romans 8:38-39. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
He lists death first. Even back then, people feared death. They were afraid of death. But if you follow Jesus, you don't have to be afraid. Because Jesus is with you, and nothing can come between the two of you.
When a pit bull attacked me in 2020, I thought I was going to die. My life flashed before my eyes. But you know what? Even though my wife, my kids, my family, and maybe my friends might not have been okay with that, I would have been okay with that. I'm not afraid of death. I'm not afraid of death because Jesus took care of it. He defeated sin, death, and hell when he defeated the grave on the cross of Calvary and rose from the grave on the third day. He's got a place in heaven just for me and just for you. We don't have to be afraid.
So storms are going to come. Christians still die of cancer. Christian employees still get laid off. Christians still have marriage problems. The storms are going to come. Christians still face viruses, tornadoes, kidney stones, and pit bulls. But when our fear is turned to faith, trust is what emerges from the turmoil we've experienced. Trust. And we can trust Jesus to get us from here to there. Trust Jesus.