Introduction

We all face ‘storms’, they are inevitable to life. What matters is how we prepare ourselves beforehand in order to live through them and emerge on the other side.

In each challenging situation we face, the test for us is the same: how will we stand? Only a full assurance of who our God is and who He has called us to be through Jesus’ blood will enable us to stand strong in Him as well as reach out an arm offering the certain hope of the gospel to others who are floundering.

These storms and challenges offer us real opportunities to shine the Light of Life we carry in our hearts. But it will not shine if our foundation is unstable and we do not know the nature, promises, character and faithfulness of our covenant-keeping God. These things are the true hope of the gospel the people around us need too.

Some years ago, I found a photograph of a lighthouse standing strong in the midst of an angry swirling sea. The waves were so high they reached half-way up the side of the building. When I looked more closely, I could see the lighthouse keeper standing in the doorway with his arms folded and every appearance of calm and peace. This image really spoke to me and since then I have been taken on a journey with God which I now share with you in Walking with God Through the Storm.

Please have a Bible or Bible app, and a notebook and pen, handy as you go through this devotional.

Sarah Winbow

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The Lifeboat

Read Hebrews 12:26-29

It is sobering to consider that our loving Father God can also be a destructive all-consuming fire, whose holiness, righteousness and justice are not to be taken lightly and whose Word is not to be messed with or disregarded. Why would He allow judgement on our nation? The answer is simple: in order to humble the hearts of a rebellious and disobedient people in the hope they will turn back to Him. He wants heart-relationship, not just religious activity.

this level of shaking has never before happened on the world-wide scale that we see today.

The Bible is full of stories illustrating how His children experienced difficult trials in order that they should turn back to Him. You will already know the truth of this from your own life-journey. What is different now is the context: this level of shaking has never before happened on the world-wide scale that we see today.

In order not only to survive but also to reach out offering the certainty of hope in God to the hundreds of thousands of people who will cry to Him in their humbled circumstances, we need a different type of boat altogether: something that has a very different shape. This spiritual lifeboat will be prepared and equipped to respond when the call comes to be part of God’s rescue plan.

In order for us to be the people He needs us to be, to do the work He means us to do, we need to prepare ourselves. This involves learning how to know Him more, to live strong in Him and to live as overcomers through our own personal storms. Only then will we be able to hold out an arm offering the living hope of a relationship with God through Jesus to others.

Additional reading: Isaiah 42:5-9; 1 Peter 3:15.

This involves learning how to know Him more, to live strong in Him and to live as overcomers through our own personal storms.

Prayer Time

Reflect on today’s reading:

• Have you ever imagined your generation could possibly be the one that witnessed Jesus’ return?

Write down your thoughts and fears.

• How do you respond to God’s invitation to get involved?
• What might a modern-day spiritual lifeboat look like?

Write down what you think this might mean for you.

Talk to Father God about your thoughts and concerns. Ask Him to fill you with His peace and to prepare you in every way for your role.

Other devotionals in this series can be accessed here.