THE STORM...
Life is full of all kind of storms! In the context of today’s message, it is a violent disturbance of life and well-being. When these storms happen, they do not come with sweet experiences, rather they bring fear and anxiety. Amazingly, there is always calm before the storm. Ref: Acts 27:13-14. So often times, we are at a loss on the swift change of event. Some of these storms can be personal battles, some are battles that spread across family ties and some sweep across a people, community, country, even the entire world. It is interesting to note that these storms have categories.
CATEGORIES OF STORMS
Isaiah 43:2a
Storms are common to all human. It is only a matter of time, we will all go through one storm or the other. Our relationship with God does not immune us from storms. However, the good news is as it is in verse 1 of our text- Fear Not, I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name; you are Mine. This storm may be the reason for that sickness, endless battles at your place of work, poverty, barrenness, failures, unemployment, financial struggles, spiritual attack, depression. For some, it is life threatening and they cannot tell anyone. In the name of Jesus, that storm is over!
2. Generational storms (Genesis 9:22-25, Genesis 49:3-4, Deuteronomy 33:6)
These are the kind of storms that have assumed permanent residency in the lives of some. Not because of what they did but because of what others did, it is called the grandfather’s bill (Jeremiah 31:29-30, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32). Their children have been engulfed in unfortunate evil cycle running through family lineage- Everyone born into the family automatically enters into it. Ham sinned, Canaan (one of his children) got the curse and generations after him followed. It is in the same way that Adam sinned and all of us became sinners, but in Christ- everything written ordinance against us, He has taken to the cross (Colossians 2:14-15)
3. Global Storms (2 Chronicles 7:12-14)
When global storms come (like it has come), it does not take into cognizance the person, his personality, achievement, background, position of influence or affluence. It is a leveler for both the high and mighty, north or south. Everyone on the path of the storm, are swept along.
AFTER THE STORM
Isaiah 43:2b
No storm lasts forever! Every storm leaves in its wake, certain wreckage. Ranging from displacing of people from their settlements, untold loss of property and lives, destabilizing of process(es). The good news is that after every storm there is respite. Beyond and above the respite, we are sure that:
The rain is coming. Abundance of rain! Both the former and the latter rain. The rain of blessing, rain of deliverance, rain of hope, rain of breakthrough. That rain will fall!
Suddenly, there shall be peace, the kind of peace associated with the end to a storm is visiting someone today. Very soon, there shall be a great calm. That storm is over.
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