November 14, 2024, "Rest in the LORD"
Although I am still not depressed, I do feel like many others, that as a nation, we are in a storm that the enemy has contrived.
“I have been young, and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread” (Psalm 37:25 NKJV).
“Rest in the LORD”
During a rough season some years ago, my nephew, Pastor J. Sherrod Sumner, preached, “We are in this storm at the right time.” Wait! How can there be a right time to be in a storm? This present storm is raging, “speaking loudly,” and not just having its say, but also having its way, and it feels like Jesus is asleep at the bottom of the boat!
But the reason it’s the right time for us to be in a storm is because Jesus is in the boat. He is with us! He has not forsaken us! And He is going to rise and command the enemy to behave. “Peace, be still!” I don’t know when. I don’t know how it’s going to happen. Some of us may have even begun to question God, as the disciples did when they asked, “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” (Mark 4:38b) And, yes, it’s okay to reach that point and be real about your feelings. I have repeatedly asked Him, “Hey, what’s going on?
His answer is calming! “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth…
I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more.”
–Psalm 37:7-9; 35-36a
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait I say, on the LORD.” Ps. 27:14
Focus Quote: “When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’” (Mark 4:39 NKJV).