Sept.24.04: Light for the Day - "After the Storm"

-- Luke 8:24,25 (Matthew 8:25,26)
24 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we’re going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.
25 "Where is your faith?" He asked His disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him."

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When God has done great things for you, when He has brought you through your present difficulty, repay Him with your loudest and most triumphant music. Praise Him in the courts of His house (Ps. 100:4). Bless again and again in the name of the Lord.

After a severe storm, there is generally a long rest. You will get through this trouble, and afterward it will be smooth sailing. I have known children of God who have been in the center of the hurricane, and it seemed as if they would be totally destroyed. But when it was over, there was not a ripple on the calm of their lives. People envied them and wondered at their quietness. They had all their storms at one time, and when it was over they came into smooth waters.

Perhaps you will have the same experience. Ask the great Pilot of the Galilean lake to steer you safely through your tempest (Luke 8:24). When the storm ceases at His command, you will be glad that you were quiet. He will bring you to your desired haven. May these words comfort you. I know how tried and tested you are. I pray the Lord, the Comforter, to apply these words to your troubled heart.

If You have never trusted in Christ. If this is so, you have to fight your own battles, bear your own trials, and carry your own burdens. When you come at the last great day before the judgment seat (Rom. 14:10), you will have to answer for your sins and bear the punishment. God have mercy on you and deliver you from this condition. May you be brought to receive Christ as your substitute and security. May you glorify His name forever.

-- C. H. Spurgeon

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-- 1 Peter 4:12,13
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

-- James 1:2-4, 12
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

-- Romans 14:10
You, then, why do you judge your brother? 
Or why do you look down on your brother? 
For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:10 
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

-- 2 Corinthians 1:2-4
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
4 Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

-- Isaiah 49:13 
Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O  mountains! For the LORD comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

-- Psalm 100
1 <A Psalm of Thanksgiving.>
Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness; 
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the LORD, He is God; 
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; 
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, 
And into His courts with praise. 
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good; 
His mercy is everlasting, 
And His truth endures to all generations.

-- Colossians 3:12 
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

-- Psalm 23
1 <A Psalm of David.>
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; 
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; 
He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 
I will fear no evil; For You are with me; 
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; 
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.