Anchor: Resting in the Promises of God (3)

Storms of Life

Recently my wife and I had a discussion about our life and the season we are in. It has the potential of being a good season, but it’s currently not there yet. She said we were in a desert season to which I retorted no we are in the house fire season. When everything around you is burning and there doesn’t feel like there is a way out. You’re just sitting there feeling the heat of the flames get closer waiting on 1 of two outcomes. 1. You get consumed by the fire and die a slow and painful death or 2. Jesus Provides a way out. I know some of you can relate to this season in life.

So this morning I want to show you a boat with a true anchor.

Matthew 8:23–27 ESV

23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”

Now I don’t know if this boat had an actual anchor or not, but the metaphor is pretty clear in this passage. It’s a real life scenario where Jesus was actually the anchor the disciples deployed to ensure their safety.

Now one of this big ideas we need to understand is the truth behind the sea of Galilee that they were traveling. This sea was known for its violent storms. When researching this passage I found and believe that it is highly likely Jesus knew this storm was brewing before he even got into the boat. The disciples, most who were fishermen, should have known the storm was coming. It’s what they spent their life doing, but understand.

Just because you know there will more than likely be a storm or understand that hard times will fall on you doesn’t make the journey through the storm any easier.

The second point we need to understand is this:

This storm came because of the disciples obedience.

Jonah had a storm that derived through disobedience, but there will be storms in your life that show up because you are being obedient in your walk. Obedience doesn’t guarantee a storm free life…it may guarantee a whale free life.

So what does this mean:

Your anchor matters

Who or what you are tied to will ultimately decide your level of peace in your journey.

So if the storm came because of their obedience why did Jesus get snappy with the disciples?

One could believe that it was because he as woken from a nap. I’m cranky if I get abruptly woken up.

Matthew 8:26 ESV

26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Why did Jesus yell at the disciples. I mean I’m grumpy when I get woken up from a nap, but why did Jesus snap at them? Because the disciples let Satan, the world, the storm steal their peace. Jesus was there on the boat with them. We know Jesus would have never died before his time. We know the storm couldn’t over take them. We know that Jesus was on a mission and would have gotten to the other side safely. But we have the full story.

In contrast. Paul.

Acts chapter 27 and 28, we aren’t going to read the story, but I will recap it for you.

Paul, tells the guards that they shouldn’t get on the boat. That trouble was ahead of them. No one listens to Paul. They get on the boat, the storm comes, the men start throwing things overboard. Paul tells them that everyone will be safe. The boat ship wrecks. They end up on the shore of Malta where Paul gets bit by a poisonous snake and should have died.

Paul, through this entire journey is calm. He takes things in stride and deals with them as they come. Stranded on Malta for 3 months Paul could have pouted, whined, and complained. But instead Paul preached the gospel and healed the sick.

Paul saw the storm as an opportunity instead of a hinderance.

On both scenarios there was a storm because of obedience. Paul was doing what God called him to do. The disciples were obviously following Jesus. He was physically in the same boat.

The difference was their peace.

How do we find peace in the storm?

Take things as they come

We read last week That tomorrow has troubles of it’s own, but if you’re like me this is very difficult. I am a chess player. I try to think of every scenario before it happens so that I am never taken off guard. This serves me well in a lot of things. It does nothing for the amount of stress. In fact it adds to my stress because I’ve calculated the 300 ways life can go wrong and the 1 way everything would have to fall for everything to work out.

I think this is an awesome reminder. Jesus has a way through. Don’t borrow trouble.

2. Use Your Time Wisely

What others thought was a distraction to the main quest Paul took as an opportunity to complete mini-quests. When Paul was shipwrecked he ministered. That ministry provided not only for him, but for everyone who was with him. Three times in Acts 28 the people of the town of Matla took care of Paul and his travel buddies.

When they were getting ready to leave:

Acts 28:10 ESV

10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

If we use our time wisely God will bring in the provision. He will bring in the supply.It may not always come how we think it should, but God has supplied.

3. Choose Sanity

In times of Crisis the words of Joshua come to mind.

Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

15 choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

we must choose not only whom we will serve, but what we think about, what we say and what we do.