Daily Devotional
Your Storm Doesn’t Mean God Abandoned You
“So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near the boat; and they were afraid”
John 6:19
February 18, 2020
Ponder This
In the Bible there are correcting storms and there are perfecting storms. Jonah, who spent the night on a foam blubber mattress, was inside a whale because he was out of the will of God. He was running from God. And God sent a correcting storm.
But there are also perfecting storms. Jesus’ disciples weren’t out of the will of God. Why were they in a storm? Because—don’t miss this—they were in the will of God. It was Jesus, Matthew tells us, who directed them to get into the boat and sail ahead, across the Sea of Galilee. They were in this storm because they were obeying Jesus. Why would Jesus want them to be in a storm? Because He wanted them to grow.
Practice This
I’ve often shared these words, written by Robert Browning Hamilton: “I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way. But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. I walked a mile with sorrow, not a word said she. But oh, the things I learned from sorrow, when sorrow walked with me.” Is that not true? Someone said that faith is like film. It’s developed in the dark. That’s when we learn to trust the Lord.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
