Dear Fellow Believer,
Is it just me or does it also seem like the Christians around you are going through a whole lot of trials right now?
Are you going through a difficult time yourself?
I know I am! So are many of my dear friends.
Why Do God’s People Go Through Trials and Storms?
Let’s start by reading 5 verses from Mark 4 as a starting point for me to list 6 Biblical reasons Why God’s People Go Through Storms.
Mark 4: 35 “And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”
Why Do God’s People Go Through Trials and Storms?
Even more. Why does God position His people to be in storms?
I. To Test One’s Faith
Sometimes, God allows storms to come into our lives to reveal the strength, or weakness, of our faith.
The Gospels bare several accounts of The Master of the Storms sending His Disciples directly into storms.
These trials test our faith and reveal to ourselves how our faith is.
It is easy to trust God when everything is calm, but storms will reveal how well our faith is to us.
James 1:2-3 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”
A financial hardship.
A grim health diagnosis.
A betrayal by a close friend or family member.
These kinda shakeups will test and reveal a whole lot about your faith to you as well as to others!
II. To Build One’s Faith
Storms not only test our faith but they also strengthen it.
You wouldn’t expect your physical muscles to grow without resistance.
In much the same way, faith grows through trials.
Just consider how the Disciples faith exponentially grew through the storms they went through.
Matthew 14 gives account of Jesus walking on water through a tumultuous storm that had been contrary to the Disciples.
We just read Mark 4 which bears witness of Jesus calming the great tempest that was filling the boat with water.
That great storm tried seasoned fishermen so much that they became so distraught that they asked the Lord if He cared that they perish.
We know that those shake-ups would have a profound impact on strengthening the Disciples faith.
Romans 5:3-4 “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.”
III. To Be a Witness to Others Who Do Not Have Christ in Their Boat
Mark 4:36 specifies that “there were also with him other little ships.” Those other ships were caught in the same storm, but only one had Jesus in it.
When believers go through storms with faith, they become a testimony to those who do not know Christ.
Philippians 1:12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.”
A Christian enduring a layoff with peace while coworkers panic.
A believer with a terminal illness still sharing the Gospel with joy.
Even looking forward to the time of their death
A Spirit-filled peace in response to personal tragedy.
Each of these is a powerful witness to those without Christ.
IV. To Chasten His Children
Often times, storms come as a form of chastening from the Lord.
When God’s children stray, He allows trials to bring them back into close fellowship with Him.
Jonah faced a literal storm and then a great fish when he ran from God’s will.
Why, ultimately to bring him to repentance.
Bring him back to the direction of doing what God intended Him to do.
Hebrews 12:6 “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
Psalm 119:67 “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”
Another reason that God places His children in storms is
V. To Reveal God’s Power and Glory
God often allows storms to remind us that He alone is in control.
In Mark 4:41 the Disciples marveled, saying, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”.
Through the storms of life, we see God’s power and deliverance in much greater ways than we ever can in calm seasons.
In Exodus 14, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart once again so that he’d pursue the children of Israel with his army and 600 chariots.
Why??? To reveal His Power and Glory to His people
Exodus 14:13-14 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day.”
Some storms that often reveal God’s power to His people are:
Miraculous healing when doctors offered no hope.
Unexpected provision during financial struggles.
And God opening doors in a seemingly impossible situation.
VI. To Teach Us to Fully Rely on Christ
In Mark 4 Jesus was asleep during the storm, showing that He was not troubled.
The disciples panicked and did everything they could with their own power and experience.
It wasn’t until they finally went to the Lord that they realized that their only hope was in Him the whole time.
Trials teach us to depend fully on the Lord rather than on ourselves.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Psalm 46:1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
Conclusion
Storms will come as you follow our the Lord Jesus Christ.
For Christians, every trail & storm has a purpose, whether it is to test and build our faith, to be a witness to others, to chasten us, to reveal God’s power, or to teach us to rely on Christ.
No matter what storm you may be facing, remember that God is in control. Look to Him to accomplish what He intends with the trials you are going through!
Thank you for opening you heart to this devotion. If God is directing you and someone you know to learn a whole lot more about God’s Word, perhaps taking courses through iBaptistcollege.org is God’s will for you. Please check us out.
Peter Evander, Th.D.
Registrar & Academic Dean
