OUR REFUGE IN THE STORM
In recent months, we have witnessed the devastation from the
most powerful earthquake ever to hit
But personal storms also are an inevitable part of the human
experience. When they strike, there is no government agency to call. No
insurance company to assess the damage and reimburse us. No hiding place. Which
is why these storms can be frightening and unsettling. The good news is
that the God of all Creation, who is majestic and all-mighty, walks on the
winds of the storm to offer us refuge in Himself. And
He can help clean up the debris that’s left.
I.
STORMS WITHOUT
What storm, turmoil or trouble is raging outside of you?
A. GOD IS OUR HELP
In each of the following passages, give the word
or phrase that describes our refuge from storms: Psalm 27:1-5, Psalm 46:1-11
and Romans 8:31-39. How does each phrase encourage you, and how could you use
it to encourage someone else? Describe the danger to God’s people in 2
Kings 6:8-23. What phrase in this passage encourages you when you feel surrounded
by the enemy? Relate the phrase to Psalm 34:7 and 1 John 4:4. What is
God’s promise to us when we are facing danger? Read Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah
43:1-2. Read the following passages and describe how God’s people
experienced His help during times of danger: Moses in Exodus 14:5-14, 21-31;
David in 1 Samuel 17:34-37, 41-50; Jehoshaphat in 2
Chronicles 20:1-4, 14-22; the three Hebrew slaves in Daniel 3:1-27; Daniel in
Daniel 6:1-28; and Peter in Acts 12:1-11. How have you experienced God’s
help in danger?
B. GOD
IS OUR HEALER
What disease has afflicted you or your loved
one? Would you pray over the following promises and ask God to give you a
promise to claim? Exodus 15:26, 23:25; Psalm 41:3, 103:1-4; and Matthew
8:14-17. Knowing that Jesus went to the temple many times, what is
intriguing about the crippled man in Acts 3:1-10? Give a phrase from the
following passages that indicates Jesus did not heal everyone: Mark 1:34, 3:10
and Luke 4:24-27. How does Jesus teach us in John 11:1-43 that if He does
not heal us, it’s because He has a greater purpose? What is the greater
purpose, according to 1 Peter 1:6-7? How did the Apostle Paul experience a
“greater purpose” than physical healing? Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. If
you need God’s healing touch, how do John 14:13-14 and Matthew 26:39 help you
to know how to pray?
C. GOD
IS OUR HOPE
How does a child of God face death differently
than a non-believer? Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13.
From the following verses, give different aspects
of our hope: Job 19:25-27; Psalm 23:4, 6; Matthew 12:18-21; John 14:1-3; 2
Corinthians 5:6-8; and 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 53-57.
II. STORMS WITHIN
Sometimes, the storms without are nothing compared with those
that rage within us. What storm within keeps you awake at night, preoccupies
your thoughts and provokes your tears?
A. GOD IS OUR PROVISION IN WANT
What emotional, spiritual or material needs do you have that
are not being met? What lessons do you learn from Mark 6:45-51 that you
can apply to your inner turmoil?
How do the following verses speak to your
particular need, and what encouragement and/or instruction do you receive from
them? Isaiah 43:18-21, 58:11, 61:1-3; Matthew 11:28-30; and Philippians
4:19. How did God’s provision for Abraham in Genesis 22:7-14 foreshadow
His provision for our greatest spiritual need? See John 1:29.
B. GOD IS OUR PEACE IN WORRY
What are you worried about? What can worrying do to help you or the situation you’re worried
about?
When tempted to worry, what are you to do? Give
one action item from each of the following verses: Matthew 6:25-34, Philippians
4:6-7 and Proverbs 3:5-6.
C. GOD IS OUR POWER IN WEAKNESS
What weakness are you
struggling to overcome? Why do you think God allows us to be weak? Read 1
Corinthians 1:26-29 and 2 Corinthians 4:7-10.
Why doesn’t God accept weakness as an excuse for
our lack of victory over temptation, as well as our lack of commitment to live
for and serve Him? See Philippians 4:13, Ephesians 1:18-20 and 1 Corinthians
10:13. On the day when we gather around God’s throne and sing praises to
the Lamb, what testimony of His power will be on your lips? Read Revelation
5:13.
Take a moment right now to refocus. Don’t look at
the storm. Look at the One who walks on the winds of the storm and calms the
raging seas. Then thank God for being your Refuge.
Pastor
David Jones
excerpts from
A.G.L.