When God Calms You - The Crosswalk Devotional - November 5
When God Calms You
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” - Psalm 46:1 (NIV)
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the storms of life? Do you desperately seek refuge only to not find relief? If so, then this message is for you.
There’s a story about a king who hosted a contest for artists. They were asked to paint a picture that represents peace. While I haven’t seen the original artwork from the king’s contest, I learned about a modern-day artist, Jack E. Dawson, who heard the story and was inspired to paint a picture of peace. “Artist Jack E. Dawson did not enter or win an actual art contest for his famous painting ‘Peace in the Midst of the Storm’; rather, he was inspired to paint it after hearing a traditional parable about a king's art contest. Dawson heard a story years prior during a church revival about a king who held a contest for artists to paint the best representation of ‘peace.’ While most artists submitted calm lakes, sunsets, and peaceful meadows, the winning painting depicted a harsh, roaring waterfall, a stormy sky with lightning, and a rugged cliff. Upon closer inspection, a tiny bird was tucked safely in a nest within a crack in the rock behind the rushing water. The king explained that true peace is not the absence of noise, trouble, or hardship, but rather being completely calm and secure in the middle of chaos.”
What can we learn from this? I believe this story and painting teach us that God can calm us and shelter us in the midst of raging storms. Like the song by Scott Krippayne says (and I paraphrase): God will either calm the storm around us, or He will calm us with His Presence in the storm. Just like the painting of a bird being sheltered in the storm, we too are safe with God in the storms of life.
I remember when I was in college, I had to walk a few miles to an assignment for class. I usually checked the weather before walking anywhere, but that day I didn’t. So, I was totally unprepared for the rainstorm that poured down at the time I had to return to the dorm where I lived as a student. Accepting that I’d be completely waterlogged by the time I reached my destination, I focused on walking slowly so I wouldn’t slip on the wet pavement of the sidewalks. After walking carefully for a few minutes, the rain began to soak my clothes. But before I was completely drenched in water, a small bus slowly pulled up beside me. The door opened, and without hesitation, I entered the bus and thanked the driver for the ride that was going to provide shelter for me in this storm. He drove me back to the front entrance of the dorm where I was staying, keeping the conversation about the weather lighthearted during the entire five-minute ride. I thanked him again as I exited the bus and walked a few steps into the dorm, where I was now completely safe from the storm. Looking back on that day, I sensed God in it.
God knew that I needed shelter and safety, so He provided it. The same God who did that for me then can do that and more for you now. Whether you are going through a physical storm outdoors with rain drenching you, thunder booming that’s scaring you, and lightning flashing before your eyes…or you’re experiencing the trials and tribulations of life, I encourage you to remember that you are not alone. Jesus Christ tells us He is with us in John 16:33 (NIV). He says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
If you’d like to see the famous, modern-day painting representing peace and learn more about it in the words of the artist, visit Jack E. Dawson’s website.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen to and reflect on these three songs:
Song of Reflection #1: “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “A Secret Place” by Karen Clark Sheard. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “Peace” by Dr. Juanita Bynum. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
The next time you feel afraid while experiencing a storm and you need shelter, will you ask God to provide refuge? How does it feel to know that Jesus Christ can give you perfect peace in the midst of any storm?
Further Reading:
Ephesians 2:14
Philippians 4:7
John 14:27
Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah 26:3
How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/kozorog
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