...So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. Hebrews 6:17-19 (NKJV)
We are going through a devotional series titled, "The two types of Storms." These are storms - times of testing - that we will all face in our lives. Even though there is many ways that these storms can be manifested they will all fall into one of two categories, and they are:
We've been looking at, 12-Ways to deal with a "Storm." In our last devotional, we looked at our 6th way, so let's continue with number seven.
7. We need to be anchored into the "Promises of God."
When we are going through the "Storms" of life, we are being tossed around and being driven in different directions - sometimes being driven upon the rocks of discouragement, disillusionment, and despair. It is true that God will allow us to be driven by these storms - but that is not God's will for our lives. Let me explain.
God knows that we will be tossed to and fro like a wave of the ocean if we are not "Anchored" in Him, and in His Word, and in His will. If we don't have a saving relationship we will be lost in the sea of sin. If we don't read His Word, we won't know what His will is for our life, and for our situation. If we don't abide in the wisdom from God's Word and do His will, we will be tossed to and fro like the waves of the ocean - double minded and unstable in all that we do - it will lead to a miserable life and much destruction.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (NKJV)
Q: What does it mean to be driven and tossed?
A: It means that we are being deceived by the enemy (Satan) and his lies. These lies can cause us to be anxious and to fear the future by what we are seeing with our eyes. He is causing us to doubt in the promises of God.
The way that we can alleviate being driven and tossed is to be "Anchored into the Promises of God." There are over 3,000 promises given to us in Scripture. These promises are for our health, our happiness, our prosperity, our peace, our family, our finances, our freedom, and our security. We need to know that God is always faithful to His Word. We need to stay anchored to His Word and the promises contained within it.
If we study the Word of God and even write down some of these promises when things are calm - then when the storm comes we can look to these foundational promises and they will guide us and keep us anchored.
Psalm 23 is a great place to seek refuge, as it is full of promises for when we encounter those "Storms," or "Valleys."
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV)
We have been given the promise that God is using the "Storms" for good (See Rom 8:28). We have been promised that we will not be given something that we cannot handle (See 1Cor. 10:13). And we have been given the assurance of a perfect peace by God, even in the midst of the "Storms" if we keep our mind on Him, and trust Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you, regardless of the type of Storms you'll face in your life, stay anchored into the Word of God, and into His promises. God will do what He has promised - let's do our part.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: What promises can we derive from the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you trusting in God and keeping your mind on Him and His Word?
APPLICATION: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight - especially in the midst of a storm.
We are going through a devotional series titled, "The two types of Storms." These are storms - times of testing - that we will all face in our lives. Even though there is many ways that these storms can be manifested they will all fall into one of two categories, and they are:
- Storms of Correction These are the tough times where we go through trials and tests because we have unconfessed sin in our life - and we are going in a way that is not in the will of God.
- Storms of Perfection These are those times where we go through trials and tests because God loves us and He is transforming us to be more like Jesus.
We've been looking at, 12-Ways to deal with a "Storm." In our last devotional, we looked at our 6th way, so let's continue with number seven.
7. We need to be anchored into the "Promises of God."
When we are going through the "Storms" of life, we are being tossed around and being driven in different directions - sometimes being driven upon the rocks of discouragement, disillusionment, and despair. It is true that God will allow us to be driven by these storms - but that is not God's will for our lives. Let me explain.
God knows that we will be tossed to and fro like a wave of the ocean if we are not "Anchored" in Him, and in His Word, and in His will. If we don't have a saving relationship we will be lost in the sea of sin. If we don't read His Word, we won't know what His will is for our life, and for our situation. If we don't abide in the wisdom from God's Word and do His will, we will be tossed to and fro like the waves of the ocean - double minded and unstable in all that we do - it will lead to a miserable life and much destruction.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8 (NKJV)
Q: What does it mean to be driven and tossed?
A: It means that we are being deceived by the enemy (Satan) and his lies. These lies can cause us to be anxious and to fear the future by what we are seeing with our eyes. He is causing us to doubt in the promises of God.
The way that we can alleviate being driven and tossed is to be "Anchored into the Promises of God." There are over 3,000 promises given to us in Scripture. These promises are for our health, our happiness, our prosperity, our peace, our family, our finances, our freedom, and our security. We need to know that God is always faithful to His Word. We need to stay anchored to His Word and the promises contained within it.
If we study the Word of God and even write down some of these promises when things are calm - then when the storm comes we can look to these foundational promises and they will guide us and keep us anchored.
Psalm 23 is a great place to seek refuge, as it is full of promises for when we encounter those "Storms," or "Valleys."
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Psalms 23:1-6 (NKJV)
We have been given the promise that God is using the "Storms" for good (See Rom 8:28). We have been promised that we will not be given something that we cannot handle (See 1Cor. 10:13). And we have been given the assurance of a perfect peace by God, even in the midst of the "Storms" if we keep our mind on Him, and trust Him.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)
Hey Christian, I want to encourage you, regardless of the type of Storms you'll face in your life, stay anchored into the Word of God, and into His promises. God will do what He has promised - let's do our part.
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: What promises can we derive from the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you trusting in God and keeping your mind on Him and His Word?
APPLICATION: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight - especially in the midst of a storm.
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