“Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). With all the chaos in the current times, some may wonder – where is God? Has he forsaken us, or does he care what we’re going through? The disciples also experienced a storm so great, they questioned if He cared about them. Mark 4 records Jesus was with the disciples on a ship, when they experienced such a powerful storm, the disciples believed they were going to die. The wind rocked them violently in the waters, until the ship was full of water. Meanwhile Jesus is sleeping somewhere in the back of the ship. Now, don’t for a moment believe that God is ever sleeping (unaware) when you’re going through a storm. He knows exactly what’s going on, He knows how it will affect you and He is in control. Storms have a way of bringing us closer to the Lord though. Storms bring realization that our dependence is on Him. The disciples woke Jesus saying, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” They knew they needed the Lord to act on their behalf. They knew where to turn in the storm. Yet, after the Lord calmed the storm he asked them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”
Rest assured, the Lord is perfectly aware of the storms caused by this current world crisis. None of this has caught Him off guard or sleeping. God is not surprised by events unfolding before our eyes. It raises the question, is there a purpose for this storm? Jesus asked the disciples why they didn’t have faith. The Lord is looking for His people to shine brightest right now, with unwavering faith that He is in control. Could it possibly be, that the Lord is using this current storm to call people to repentance? It’s not only possible, but very likely. The Lord wants people to see His power and put their faith in Him. This is a great time for people to see there is no other god who can save, but the Lord. This is a great time for the people of the Lord, to be his witnesses as recorded in Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses…”
Use the crisis as an opportunity to point someone to the Lord. Be a witness of the peace He brings, of the hope He has given, of the salvation He has offered. Now is a great time to let someone know, the people of God are inseparable from his love – regardless of the situation. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38, 39). There is nothing that can separate us from the Lord – we are inseparable, so long as we don’t turn away from him. “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deut. 31:6). Lord Bless!
- Brother Michael