Asleep in the Storm

It’s been raining off and on for the last couple of hours. It’s a nice rain but there has also been some pretty impressive lightning and a few loud claps of thunder. It woke me up but I believe Dave is still sleeping.

Now that’s peace.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God isn’t the one who brings tribulation into our lives, but He IS the one who brings us peace in the tribulation. How can we have peace? Glad you asked. God is there with us and through Him we overcome what this world throws at us.

As I sat here listening to the rain falling on the roof I was reminded of several people in the Bible who slept through their storms. The first, of course, was Jesus.

“ A very bad wind came up on the lake. The waves were coming over the sides and into the boat, and it was almost full of water. ³⁸ Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” ³⁹ Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm.” Mark 4:37-39 ERV

Then there was Peter: “One night, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two of the soldiers. More soldiers were guarding the door of the jail. Herod was planning to bring Peter out before the people the next day. ⁷ Suddenly an angel of the Lord was standing there, and the room was filled with light. The angel tapped Peter on the side and woke him up. The angel said, ‘Hurry, get up!‘ The chains fell off Peter’s hands. ⁸ The angel said, ‘Get dressed and put on your sandals.’ Peter did as he was told. Then the angel said, ‘Put on your coat and follow me.’” Acts 12:6-8 ERV

Daniel had some strange bedtime companions: “The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. ²⁰ He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.’²¹ Daniel answered, ‘King, live forever! ²² My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.’” Daniel 6:20-22 ERV

Now, how about us? We may not face a storm at sea or be chained in prison or spend the night with lions but we have personal storms. “You have put more joy and rejoicing in my heart than [they know] when their wheat and new wine have yielded abundantly. ⁸ In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, alone make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalm 4:7-8 AMPC

Today, I pray that you know peace and your lives are filled with rest.