But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

  - Matthew 8.26

I beg that me, a little man
trembling and most wretched,
rowing through the infinite storm
of this age, Christ may draw after Him to the lofty
most beautiful haven of life
...an unending holy hymn forever.

  - Colum Cille, Adiutor laborantium, Irish, 6th century[1]

At times, life can feel like an unrelenting storm.

Adverse winds of circumstance, booming threats of thunderous troubles, dangerous bolts of trial and difficulty, downpours of disappointment, onslaughts of opposition, failure, frustrated hopes, and dashed dreams – these rain down and swirl around us without let-up, leaving us feeling trembling and most wretched.

And we row through what can seem like an infinite storm, straining at the oars of daily duty, struggling with the sails of responsibility, gripping the rudder of hope for all we’re worth, and hoping to see light at the end of the dark night.

But why do we fear? After all, we’re not alone in our little coracle. Jesus gets us through it all, every time. Or, we know, one day soon He will.

Why do we become anxious each time the storms of life bear down on us?

Is it because we forget that Jesus is the Stiller of storms, or because we just don’t believe it? Or do we simply lose sight of Him and, fixing instead on our troubles and uncertainties, convince ourselves that they are greater than He?

Yet when we cry out to Him and wait on Him, clinging to His life-preserving Word of promise, He never fails us nor forsakes us. He draws us after Him into the reality of abundant life where, no matter what the world throws at us, we find Him to be a lofty haven of peace, sufficient to calm our souls no matter the “weather” of our lives.

As Vance Havner put it in his inimitable manner: “Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot, whatever the weather, we’ll weather the weather, whether we like it nor not.”

And so it is with life in Jesus.

The key to knowing His calming presence in the midst of life’s storms is thanksgiving, praise, and rejoicing.

Thanksgiving, because we acknowledge that He is sovereign, He does all things well, and He is working all things together for our good.

Praise because, well, He is always worthy of our adoration and exultation.

And rejoicing because He upholds us, will never fail nor forsake us, and in His presence are fullness of joy and pleasures forever more.

When the storms of life descend, don’t panic, and don’t despair. Look to the Stiller of storms. Wait on Him in meditation and prayer, and you will find Him drawing you into Himself, where you will find rest unto your soul and wisdom to guide your every step.

Hidden with Him in God, you can know sheltering peace and renewing grace.

Psalm 29.1-6, 10, 11 (Toulon: “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”)
Give praise to God, you children of the earth!
Tell of His strength, proclaim His glorious worth!
Give to the Lord the glory due His Name!
Worship in holiness; His grace proclaim!

Over the waters, over thunder’s roll,
God’s voice creation’s mighty pow’rs controls!
Cedars collapse at His majestic Word;
Nations are shaken by our mighty Lord!

Sovereign, the Lord sat o’er the raging flood;
Sovereign forever rules our gracious God!
God will His people bless with strength and peace:
Lord, may Your holy Word to us increase!

Thank You, Jesus, that You are the Stiller of all storms!

Hidden with Christ in God
Hidden with Christ in God, you are safe in the shelter of His love and power. If only we could realize this more consistently!

Our book, The Hidden Life, can lead you more consistently into the sheltering grace of the Lord. The 16 exercises in this little volume can bring you a fuller experience of life in Christ, and fit you for a richer and more glorifying walk with Him. Order your copy of The Hidden Life by clicking here.

As always, we appreciate your prayers and gifts. God supports this ministry from among those who are served by it (Ps. 20.1, 2). We hope that, if you find our resources helpful in your walk with the Lord, you will seek Him about sharing with us. You can click here to donate online with your credit card or through PayPal, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452.

T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.