GOD'S PEOPLE: INSIDE THE PANDEMIC STORM

THE STORMS OF LIFE

  “... So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ... A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).

 “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ...commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).

 “... a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).

“...It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword ...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).

*

         A STORM is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere that is usually accompanied by strong winds, rain, dust devils, whirlwinds, blizzards, thunder, hail, ice, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, etc.

          STORMS can last for a few moments, days, or weeks. However long a STORM lasts, when it comes, it disturbs the ENVIRONMENT and DISRUPTS normal conditions.

ALL STORMS have the potential to harm lives, destroy property, and change the environment. STORMS are a regular part of life and can change the course  of one’s life for the worst or they can lead them to miraculous victories.

Some STORMS, however, can and will damage or destroy something in the environment. The things that are damaged or destroyed can be MAJOR and effect normal life spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally.

Some STORMS can cause a DIASPORA for some and change the course of their lives forever. Nonetheless, a real STORM will change the ATMOSPHERE!

The STORMS OF LIFE, through the experiences people face un-expectantly, come to disrupt their atmosphere and disturb normal conditions through death, divorce, unexpected sicknesses, stock market crashes, lost jobs, injustice, sudden tragedies, fiery furnaces, lion dens, prison, etc. “…But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo ... we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … ” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).

“... So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ... A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed...” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).

 “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar full of fury ...commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).

 “... a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).

“...It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword ...he proceeded to seize Peter also ...Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. So Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).

INSIDE the above STORMS, Job faced tragedies, Daniel faced the lion’s den, the Hebrew Boys faced the fiery furnace, and Peter faced a trial which would end in his death by the sword. Their LIVES were seriously disturbed by a variety of situations and nothing was NORMAL anymore.

 “…But before very long there rushed down from the land a violent wind, called Euraquilo ... we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along … ” (ACTS 27:14-19 NASB).

“...they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den ......” (Daniel 6:16-18 NIV).

 “… [King] …Nebuchadnezzar ...commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace…” (DANIEL 3).

 “... a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them...“The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants ...“The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. ...“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).

“......he proceeded to seize Peter also ...[and]... Peter was kept in prison...” (Acts 12:1-5 NIV).

Job, Peter, the Hebrew Boys, and Daniel were restricted by their STORMS and could NOT deliver themselves. Each of them FACED and were INSIDE STORMS with different circumstances, but each one had NO DELIVERER except God, the Holy Spirit.

“... Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them.  See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you...” (2 Chronicles 20:5-12 NIV).

“...God is ...a very present help in trouble...” (Psalms 46:1 KJV). “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT).  “…You are my helper…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT).

“…[God is]…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

In other words, “...No weapon that is formed against ...[God’s people]... shall prosper…This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). STORMS happen, but they won’t prosper over God’s people! “….All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…” (Hebrews 13:5 & ROMANS 8:28 KJV).

“…ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…” (Genesis 50:20 KJV). God, through Jesus, defeated the ENEMY, so his people could be VICTORIOUS in the STORMS of LIFE. “...Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).  “...overwhelming victory is ours in christ ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

The ENEMY may bring FORTH STORMS to disturb your atmosphere and disrupt normal conditions, in this FALLEN world, but his people, are promised victory over the works of devil. “... But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil...” (1 John 3:8 NLT). Therefore, “...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “...overwhelming victory is ours in christ ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

INSIDE THE STORMS of LIFE, it is not unusual for people, even the strongest warriors, to feel helpless, scared, terrified, nervous, overly concerned with the outcome, naked, exposed, or weak. However, “…God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?” (Hebrews 13:5 MSG).

“…After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.). Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).  

It is NOT necessarily a lack of faith to experience “feelings” of FEAR when going through the STORMS of LIFE. “…Jehoshaphat was TERRIFIED by this news...” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

When going through the STORMS of LIFE, God will find a WAY to strengthen his people and empower them to submit to God’s sovereign love and care. “…Great is his love toward us...” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…Behold, I am with … [you] and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “...He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “… Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and BEGGED the Lord for guidance.” (2 Chronicles 20:1-30 NLT).

“...God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam ...“Be still, and know that I am God ... The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress...” (Psalms 46 NLT).

God will FIGHT for his people and TAKE CARE of the things that concern them. “…He helps me…” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). . “…If God is for us, who is against us? ... …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “...No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper...” (Isaiah 54:17 KJV). “…The LORD will accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “… THE LORD … is Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

The events, situations, circumstances, or STORMS OF LIFE that concern God’s people are ALL under God’s sovereign control. “… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).

“... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

“...THE NIGHT BEFORE HEROD WAS TO BRING HIM TO “TRIAL”, PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS, AND SENTRIES STOOD GUARD AT THE ENTRANCE. (ACTS 12:6 NIV).

Peter’s VICTORY from THE STORM represents the FAVOR of God upon the lives of HIS PEOPLE, which also REVEALS God’s love and desire to show his GLORY (presence, goodness, and power) to them! “…the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “...Be still, and know that I am God ... the God of Israel is our fortress (defense, stronghold, place of protection, etc.).” (Psalms 46 NLT). “…BLESSINGS are on the head of the righteous…” (Proverbs 10:6 NASB).  “…You surround [your people] ... WITH FAVOR as with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB). “...overwhelming victory is ours  (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us (and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).

 “…I’ve also done it … so you will know that I am the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…your deliverer…” (Psalms 18:3 NASB). Peter was able to SEE, with his OWN eyes, the GLORY (God’s presence, goodness, and power) of God and his FAVOR upon his life, because of the GREAT THINGS he did for him.

“...The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.  Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

Peter witnessed and experienced, first hand, the LOVE and FAVOR of God. God REVEALED his GLORY to Peter through his presence in the angel (this could be a true Christian Warrior), his goodness in directing his steps (through his Word), and his power to deliver him out of Herod’s clutches (overwhelming victory)!  “...Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel (this could be a Christian Warrior) and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

“…I HAVE DONE IT, declares the Lord…’” (Ezekiel 37 NIV). “…the Father (the indwelling Holy Spirit) that dwelleth in me (Jesus, the WORD), he doeth the works (the Holy Spirit doeth the works) …” (John 14:10 KJV).

“… at God’s [miracle-performingWORD) … what we now SEE (everything witnessed and experienced) did not come from anything that can be SEEN (it came from the WORK of the Holy Spirit)…” (Hebrews 11:3 NLT). “… He (Jesus) had a name written, that no man knew … his name is called The Word of God (the miracle-performing POWER of God)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB).

“... When this had dawned on him ... [Peter realized] ...  “he (God, the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous things…” (Acts 12:7 NIV & Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV).

“...the chains fell off Peter’s wrists...They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has ... rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen...” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

REMEMBER: “...The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

INSIDE THE STORMS, the difficult trials and tribulations, we face in life such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, the loss of a lucrative job, unexpected diagnoses, fear of going to prison for a crime you didn’t commit, the loss of material possessions,  unjust treatment, false accusations, and other sudden life changes; follow Peter’s LEAD. “...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

Like Peter, many of God’s people, are FACING things that cause the heart to be flooded with troubling stresses such as dread, anxiousness, discouragement, weariness, questions of faith, fear of the unknown, having no control of the situation or the outcome, etc., BUT TRUST and DEPEND upon God ANYWAY. “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours  (and Peter’s) through Christ, who loved us (and him)...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). 

WHY should you SLEEP during these troubling TIMES? “...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV). “...If God is for ...[peter]... who...[or what could be]... against ...[peter]? ... …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “…Who...[or what would]... separate ...[peter]... from the love of Christ?…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “....Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword...[separate you or peter from god’s love]? …” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “ ... [NO] … [NOTHING] …will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB).

“...For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “…Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 KJV).  “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “...ALL THINGS work (PROCESS) together for good to them (the redeemed) that love God, to them who are the called ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE…” (ROMANS 8:28 KJV).

IN THE STORM, “...Peter was sleeping....” (Acts 12:6-11 NIV).

  

DR. PENSACOLA H. JEFFERSON

PASTORAL COUNSELOR

YADA COUNSELING MINISTRY

INSIDE THE STORMS: THE LION’S DEN, THE FIERY FURNACE, JOB’S TRAGEDIES, AND HEROD’S DUNGEON