Storms Pt. 2
Genesis 1:1–2
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.
And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Jesus’ behavior in our storms makes us question whether He cares
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” – Mark 4:38
We are looking for ways to get out of the storm – we want God to stop the storm
We have to go through the storm
Jesus prayed that our faith would not fail, not that we wouldn’t have storms
Mark 6:48
[Jesus] saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
Jesus intends to just walk by them, even though…
· He saw that the wind was against them
· He saw how painfully difficult things were for them
Storms don’t concern Him the way they concern us
He doesn’t just walk on water – He rides on clouds:
· He was taken up in a cloud – Acts 1:9
· He is coming back in a cloud – Luke 21:27
God’s Environment
Revelation 4:2, 5–6a
Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 5 And from the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices. Seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal.
So, when God speaks
Mount of Transfiguration (Mk 9:7) – God talked to Jesus out of a cloud.
The Exodus – God talked to Moses out of a cloud. (Ex. 34:5)
Ps 81:7
You called in trouble, and I delivered you;
I answered you in the secret place of thunder.
And, when God moves
Ps 104:3
He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters,
He makes the clouds His chariot, He walks on the wings of the wind.
2 Sam 22:10–12
He bowed the heavens and came down; thick darkness was under his feet.
11 He rode on a cherub and flew; he was seen on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness around him his canopy, thick clouds, a gathering of water.
Darkness is one of the first indicators of His Presence
Ps 97:2
Clouds and darkness surround Him.
2 Chron 6:1
The LORD said He would dwell in the dark cloud.
We get fearful & rebuke the conditions that carry us to the Next Level
Ps 107:25
For He commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.
Storms bring Blessings
Ezek 34:26–27
I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and
I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing.
27 And the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase.
Storms are purposed to produce Prosperity – Growth & Increase
If you want “showers of blessings” you must welcome thunderstorms
This is the place of “choosing” – Furnace of affliction (Is 48:10)
It’s consistent that the people of purpose arrived there through a storm
Joseph – storm of pit and prison
Sarah –70 years; barrenness, disappointment, humiliation, lost hope
Moses – storm of rejected by his own people & his adopted family
Naomi – loss of husband and sons – her future
David – storm of Ziklag
3 Hebrew Boys – storm of the fiery furnace – standing for God
Jonah – had a storm thrown at him
Peter – storm of denial, public humiliation & shame
Jesus – storm of Calvary
Song Theology: “Oh They Tell Me of a Land of Uncloudy Days”
Wrong Theology
Ps 68:34
Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, His strength is in the clouds.
Nahum 1:3
His way is in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
Creation still happens in Waters
Storms are God’s Embryonic Sac
Birth of the Church
Pour out my spirit
A rushing, mighty wind
When you are in the Chaos of a Storm – something is being Birthed
Either God is creating something in you, or
You’re giving birth to something new
John 7:38
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said,
Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water."
Don’t let your fear & doubt stop you storms
We are 60% water
Deep calls to Deep – Ps 42:7
My Water Broke!
Birth in pain – the closer the blessing, the greater the storm