The Day After the Storm

On Wednesday evening, here in New Jersey and throughout the New York metropolitan region, we experienced the rage of what was left of hurricane Ida. That night the winds howled, the rains came pounding down, and the flood waters rose. Of course, it was not near to the destruction that the people of New Orleans experienced while Ida was still a full-blown hurricane. Yet, the flooding and damage was significant.  And sadly, quite number of people lost their lives.  

The day after the storm was a completely different story.  The sun was shining brightly. The sky was a clear blue. A gentle breeze was blowing. The humidity was gone and the temperature was as comfortable as it gets. For sure, what a difference a day makes! But it’s often like that the day after a storm.  One day it’s dark and stormy; the next day it’s as if nothing had happened—except for any aftermath we might be facing. 

It makes me think of what it must have been like for Jesus’ disciples on that night when out at sea, they suddenly found themselves in the midst of a storm. Matthew wrote, “Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.”  (Matthew 8:24 – NIV). Seemingly out nowhere, the sky darkened, the wind whipped up, the rains starting pounding, and their boat was being tossed about. We’re told that through much of it, Jesus was asleep in the boat. Once awakened, however, Jesus challenged his disciples regarding their faith. And then we read, “…he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”  (Matthew 8:26 – NIV) 

The Psalmist wrote of God doing the very same thing for his people at an earlier time. He wrote, “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:28-30 – NIV) 

I can only imagine what it must have been like for Jesus’ disciples the day after the storm. Or, what it must have been like for God’s people the day after their storm.  In each case, their faith in God must have grown, their trust in him must have intensified, and their love for him had to have deepened.  Having come through the storm, on the day after the storm, each of them must have had a whole new perspective on who God is and his work in their lives.                                                                                                            

I don’t know what storm you may be facing today. But whatever that storm may be, you can know that the very same God who stilled storms for his people in the past, the very same Jesus who calmed the sea for his disciples, is able to still the storm of your life and bring you through to the other side. And the result will be that, when you get to the day after the storm, you will know God in a whole new way.  

Have a great day! 

- Pastor Tim Harris