Calm in Catastrophe

Life seems to be full of catastrophes, both big and small. A catastrophe may be personal due to trials at home, work, or school, or it could be much larger due to economic or political problems, or even natural disasters like a hurricane, earthquake, flooding, fire, etc. A catastrophe is often outside of our control, yet its effects are life-changing. These events produce an internal and external panic, which cause confusion and fear. In the midst of one of life’s catastrophes, it is important to find a place of security and comfort–a place of calm. The disciples of Jesus Christ found themselves in just such a catastrophe in Matthew chapter fourteen. They had helped Jesus feed over 5000 people with only five loaves and two fishes, and then Jesus sent them to cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat. While they crossed the sea, a great storm rose up, and “the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary” (Matthew 14:24). The disciples were facing a catastrophe, and they feared for their lives. But in the midst of the storm “Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:25). Jesus did not want His disciples to be alone during their time of trial, just as He does not want you to think that you are alone now in your time of trial. The Bible says, “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:27). Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was more powerful than the wind, rain, and water. He came to His disciples in the midst of the storm, walking on the water, and He encouraged them to trust Him by saying, “Be of good cheer; be not afraid.” The disciples needed to trust that Jesus was more powerful than the storm and in control of all things, or they would not enjoy the calm that He was offering them. They needed to have faith in Him alone! Peter responded to Jesus by saying, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Peter trusted Jesus, and at Jesus’ command to “Come,” he climbed out of the boat in the midst of the storm, and “he walked on the water, to go to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). However, like many of us, Peter began to be distracted by his circumstances, the catastrophe around him, and “he was afraid; and beginning to sink” (Matthew 14:30). When Peter asked Jesus for His help, the Bible says, “immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Just like with Peter, Jesus wants to help you find salvation in your time of need. He does not just offer you security for your current physical needs, but rather He wants to help you to have security for every day of your life, and for all eternity. Jesus has power to protect and provide for you in physical catastrophes, but more importantly, He alone has the power to save you from your spiritual catastrophe of sin (Romans 3:23). You can enjoy the calm of knowing that you can trust God with each and every event in your life. The greatest fear in a physical catastrophe is death. The beginning of Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” The end result of the spiritual catastrophe of sin is spiritual death, and Jesus wants to save you from that catastrophe. The end of Romans 6:23 says, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God the Father, through Jesus Christ, offers you the gift of salvation from eternal death, but you must recognize the danger of your sin, call out to Jesus in faith in the midst of your spiritual catastrophe, and say like Peter, “Lord, save me.” Jesus promises to save those who admit their sinful condition, their need for salvation, and look to Him alone to save them (Romans 3:22, 24-25). He says, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Will you accept the calm that Jesus offers you now in the midst of your current catastrophe? To do so, you must first accept the spiritual calm of having Him as your personal Savior from the catastrophe of your sins. The Bible says, “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). By accepting that you are a sinner and calling on Jesus Christ by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection to pay for your sins (I Corinthians 15:1-4), God offers you spiritual salvation by giving you eternal life. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” After you have the security of your spiritual salvation from the penalty of your sin, you can say with the Apostle Paul, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). You can enjoy the calm of knowing that you can trust God with each and every event in your life, and “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). It is God alone who can help you through your physical and spiritual circumstances. It is your responsibility to follow His leading by having faith in His salvation through Jesus Christ and trusting His Word to guide you day by day. The Promises of Peace for All who Trust in Jesus Christ John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Philippians 4:6-9 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. II Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The God of the Bible is a God of love. He does not want you to face any of life’s situations without the knowledge and assurance of His personal love for you. He loves you so much that He does not force you to receive His love, but rather allows you to personally choose to receive it or reject it. The apostle John said, “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him” (I John 4:15-16). By believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, sent to pay for your sins by God the Father, and trusting Him as your personal Savior, you are accepting God’s love. By rejecting Jesus, you are rejecting God’s love (I John 2:23). Consider for one moment that just the fact that you have received this pamphlet about God’s care for you in this difficult time is proof that He loves you and wants to help you. He has guided other people to give you this pamphlet so that you can read and consider His Word. Please do not turn from God’s love, but rather listen to it and receive it. Receiving God’s love is as simple as accepting Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as God’s payment for your sins. The apostle Paul said it this way, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus said “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). Jesus has promised you that if you will seek His help, He will give it. Will you seek Him? Will you look for an opportunity for the person or church that gave you this pamphlet to open God’s Word with you so that you can discover more about God and His plan for your life? Contact them today and ask them to share with you from the Bible more about God and His love for you.