When Storms Of Life Are Raging

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 When the storms of life are raging, stand by me;

when the storms of life are raging, stand by me;

when the world is tossing me like a ship upon the sea,

Thou who rulest the wind and water, stand by me.

2 In the midst of tribulation, stand by me;

in the midst of tribulation, stand by me;

when the host of hell assail, and my strength begins to fail,

Thou who never lost a battle, stand by me.

3 In the midst of faults and failures, stand by me;

in the midst of faults and failures, stand by me;

when I’ve done the best I can, and my friends

misunderstand,

Thou who knowest all about me, stand by me.

4 In the midst of persecution, stand by me;

in the midst of persecution, stand by me;

when my foes in war array, undertake to stop my way,

Thou who rescued Paul and Silas, stand by me.

💡 Illustration

That old spiritual—often sung in the hard fields of life and deep valleys of suffering

—wasn’t sung in comfort, it was sung in crisis.

They didn’t sing, “Calm the storm.”

They sang, “Stand by me.”

Because they learned :

The presence of God is greater than the pressure of life.

If you look at:

* The storm—you’ll fear

* Yourself—you’ll fail

* Others—you’ll falter

The Christian life rises or falls on one thing—what you’re looking at.

Not what you're facing…

Not what you're feeling…

But what has your focus.

I. THE DIRECTION OF OUR FOCUS

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

“Looking unto Jesus”

That phrase means to fix your attention, to turn your eyes away from everything else and lock in on Him.

* Not glancing

* Not occasionally checking in

* But a settled, steady focus

💡 Illustration — (Matthew 14)

Peter the Apostle walked on water…until he started studying the wind.

As long as his eyes were on Jesus, he did the impossible.

The moment his focus shifted, he began to sink.

He didn’t sink because of the storm—

He didn’t sink because of the sea

He sank because of the shift.

📌 The problem isn’t the storm around you, it’s the sight within you.

II. THE DEPENDABILITY OF OUR SAVIOR

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

“the author and finisher of our faith”

* Author — He started it

* Finisher — He will complete it

💡 Illustration —

Anyone can start a project— But you measure a builder by whether he finishes.

Jesus is not a half-builder of souls.

Jesus Christ doesn’t abandon what He authors.

He didn’t save you to leave you

He didn’t call you to drop you

He didn’t begin a work to bury it halfway through

💡 ILLUSTRATION — THE FATHER WHO HELPED HIS SON FINISH

Derek Redmond was a four-times British 400 metres champion finishing as the highest placed British athlete at the 1985, 1987 and 1992 AAA Championships.

Redmond first broke the British record for the 400 metres in 1985. This record was , but Redmond reclaimed the record in 1987 at the World Athletics Championships in Rome.

In 1986, Redmond was a member of the team that won the 400 metres relay gold medal at the European Championships. The following year, he was on the team that won the 400 metres relay silver medal at the World Championships.

At the 1991 World Championships Redmond was a member of the British team that shocked the athletics world by beating the much-favoured American team to claim the gold medal in the 400 metres relay.

Redmond ran the second leg in the final …what was then the second-fastest 400 metres relay in history.

Injuries consistently interrupted Redmond's career. At the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, he pulled out of the opening round of the 400 metres 90 seconds before his heat because of an injury to his Achilles tendon.

Before the 1992 Summer Olympics, he had undergone 8 operations due to injuries.

In Barcelona, everything seemed to be coming together for Redmond at last. He was running well: he recorded the fastest time of the first round and he won his quarterfinal heat.

As he settled into the blocks for the start of his semifinal race, Redmond's thoughts turned to his father, Jim, and the support he had always given him.

Derek got off to a clean start and was running smoothly when, about 150m into the race, his right hamstring muscle tore and he fell to the ground.

When he saw the stretcher-bearers rushing towards him, he knew he had to finish the race. Redmond jumped up and began hobbling forward despite the pain he felt.

His father ran out of the stands and pushed past security and joined him on the track.

His Father seeing the pain his son was in Jim told his son, “Look, you don’t have to do this.” Once Derek made it clear that he would not give up until he crossed the finish line, Jim said, “We’ll finish it together,” and served as Derek’s “human crutch.” Together, father and son completed the race.

His father said then will do it together!

Hand in hand, with Derek sobbing, they continued.

Just before the finish, Jim let go of his son and Derek completed the race on his own, as the crowd of 65,000 gave him a standing ovation.

When you stumble and fall, understand that the Author and finisher dispatches the Holy Spirit to help you up and says will do it together

John 14:16 KJV

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Comforter is the Holy Spirit…. Comforter means helper

III. THE DETERMINATION OF OUR SAVIOR

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

“who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross”

He saw beyond:

The nails — the pain of the moment

The shame — the humiliation of the cross

The suffering — the weight of sin

💡 Illustration — The Finish Line Runner

A runner doesn’t stare at his pain—he locks eyes on the finish line.

His legs are burning, his lungs are screaming—but his vision pulls him forward.

Because Jesus finished his work, we can finish ours!!!

Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee…”

📌 Not just a command—but a promise: His presence replaces your panic.

Isaiah 43:1–2 (KJV)

“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee… When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee…”

📌 You’re not spared from the water—you’re secured in

💡 THE ILLUSTRATION — THE FACE OF THE CAPTAIN

A ship was caught in a violent storm. Passengers were terrified, convinced they were about to perish. But one little boy sat calmly. They asked, “Why aren’t you afraid?” He said, “Because I’ve seen the captain’s face.” He explained, “I went up on deck, and the captain looked at me and smiled. If the captain isn’t afraid, everything is going to be alright.”

That little boy had peace because:

He didn’t analyze the storm

He didn’t absorb the panic

He didn’t listen to the fear

💡 He locked his eyes on the captain

📌 And when he saw the captain’s face—his fear lost its power.

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A. When storms rise—look to Jeesus

Not the waves, not the wind—the Savior

B. When fear grips—remember His expression

Jesus is not pacing heaven in anxiety, i promise you Jesus isnt afraid, not spooked

C. When strength fades—consider Him (v.3)

Your endurance is tied to your focus

Luke 12:6–7 KJV

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

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CONCLUSION

You don’t need:* A calmer sea

You don’t need:* A smoother journey

You need a clearer view of Jesus.

💡 Peace doesn’t come from the absence of storms—it comes from seeing the face of the Captain.

* Have you taken your eyes off Jesus?

* Are you more focused on the storm than the Savior?

Come today and fix your gaze again.