Over the years I have come to understand that any subject that is mentioned multiple times in Scripture has an underlying narrative.
Tracing blood throughout Scripture tells a fascinating story of redemption, along with sin, good verses evil and a myriad of other subjects. The subject of storms is no different. There are not multitudes of references but the ones mentioned tell a story, and a significant one at that. I am not trying to say that all these biblical storms relate to the storms in our lives, but there might be a connection.
Well worth pondering.
Storm of Judgment: The first storm is the great flood. I can’t even grasp the magnitude of forty days and forty nights of rain that covered the mountains. Here is what we read: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5).
The Lord had to judge the world because of its wickedness. This is a prelude for future judgment. The Lord does not take sin lightly. Note that the whole world was evil. We are rapidly moving in that direction. I have come to realize that the Lord has a cup of patience that when full, His judgment comes. I get that from the Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah and a statement made in Gen.15:16 which states the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. I call this the fulness principle. This is when God says enough is enough.
Storm of Discipline: When the Lord spoke to Jonah about going to Nineveh and he decided that fleeing from the Lord on board a ship was a better idea, the Lord brought His disciplinary hand by creating a storm. Jonah knew the storm was brought about by his God and made that clear to the men on board who had cried out to their gods to save them. The storm continued until Jonah said he needed to be cast into the sea for it to cease from its raging. This discipline worked in getting Jonah to fulfill his calling to preach to the people in Nineveh, but failed to reach his heart. He hated the Ninevties because they were the enemies of Israel. His prejudice was
no match for God’s providence.
Storm of Testing: Mark 4:35-41 gives us the account of Jesus and his disciples crossing over the sea of Galilee when an unexpected storm arose that swamped the boat. Jesus was asleep when the disciples woke Him and rebuked Jesus for not caring about their safety. Let’s not forget that Jesus told them they were going over to the other side. If the creator God of this universe says, “Let’s go over to the other side,” then you can be sure that is exactly what is going to happen and no storm can overrule God’s plan. However, they were walking by sight and not by faith. This was a perfectly planned test of their faith in the midst of a storm.
Storm that Reveals Faith: Acts 27 gives us the details of a horrendous storm on the Mediterranean Sea with Paul on board and 275 other men. This storm was so dreadful they feared the ship would be broken in half. Paul however, had an appointment to meet with Caesar to stand trial. God sent an angel to let Paul know that this appointment would take place and all the men would be safe. Paul demonstrated great faith in God’s promise that he would meet Caesar unlike the disciples who doubted Jesus’ promise that they were to go to the other side. From judgment, to discipline, to testing, to faith, there is a story about storms and what they reveal. I
think it is well worth pondering each of these storms and see if there is a subliminal narrative the Lord wants us to discover.