WEATHERING THE STORM
August 8, 2022 11:15 AM
MY HIDING PLACE
For the audio version to this Word, please follow this link, youtube.com/watch?v=dAq6pJjL9QU. Thank you.
Ezek.33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
Dear brothers and sisters,
the purpose of this Word is to fulfill my commitment to the above verse and to, once again, blow the trumpet to alert everyone that a grievous, dangerous storm is upon us.
Back in 2020, I had a vision of being on the deck of a large ship like the Titanic. My heart raced as I frantically ran back and forth while announcing the impeding calamity. Imagine someone had warned in advance of the iceberg that stood on the path of the Titanic. But unfortunately, all around me people were too self-absorbed, happily engaged in various fun activities to hear and much less, heed the warnings. May this Word not fall on deaf ears, nor catch you unaware, distraught or too busy to listen. Father has forewarned that many will not heed the admonitions and perish. Others lead a lukewarm, casual, superficial relationship with the Lord and think that, that will be sufficient to keep them afloat. May this not be you! I tell you, we cannot fathom the level of magnitude of THIS storm. Do not underestimate God’s power and fierce anger. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!
On Aug.3/2022, a clip came across my YT newsfeed. It was the story of a father who took his 11-year-old daughter for an adventure on his yatch. While on their trip, they encountered a violent storm that capsized their boat. One moment the daughter was dozing off to sleep. The next, she found herself forcefully ejected into the cold ocean, fighting for her life.
This reminded me of another story I had heard from a survivor to a tsunami wave. Her story went something like this. ‘It started off as a normal day. The sun was shining, the children playing. I had my breakfast and was busy in my home caught up with my normal, everyday routine. It wasn’t long after that, that I looked outside and saw this enormous wave coming towards the village. I knew there was no way to run from it or hide’. Thankfully, she survived to tell the story. And with much bewilderment and broken heart she reported her account. To that moment, she couldn’t understand the disaster that had befallen them: how this storm had appeared unannounced devastating her village, destroying homes and claiming endless lives.
In the summer of 2020, the Lord showed me this ‘tsunami’ type storm that is coming. One moment I was calmly floating on the surface of the ocean, on a warm sunny day. Relaxed, with no worries of when I was going to find land, or what I was going to eat, or how I got there. The next, I looked over to my left and saw this massive wave coming towards me. Now, in this dream, before I had a chance to process what was happening, the wave came and gently brought me all the way to the top, then back down. That’s because Father had my back and had covered me by His blood. Same will be for those who have prepared by deepening the roots of their relationship with the Lord.
And so, while I watched the father and daughter clip, all these things rushed to my memory and I was making connections between a physical storm and a spiritual one. Eager to learn more, I opened my Bible to be ministered by the Lord.
We’re currently in the midst of a spiritual storm. Why is this storm here?
Jonah 1:12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.
If we briefly review Jonah’s story, we can recall that Father had given him a command -a mission to accomplish- that to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to its people. But, Jonah acted in disobedience by running away to Tarshish instead, the opposite direction. This rebellion led to Father sending a major storm his way until he learned his lesson, and repented. Thankfully, He was granted a second chance to go to Nineveh.
We are in the same boat. We, as the citizens of this world, have been disobedient to Father’s laws. We have acted out of our own carnal desires, our sins and rebellion. We have abandoned our Husband and committed adultery with other ‘gods’ and idols. All this has caused Father’s anger to rise. He has mercifully held His anger for a long while, to allow us more time to repent. But as it stands right now, we are quickly approaching the end of that grace period.
Like I was saying, eager to learn more about the parallel between a physical and spiritual storm, I delved into Acts 27 -Paul’s account of his shipwreck experience. The Holy Spirit lead my reading and as He has often done in the past, this time also, He highlighted to me the Scripture and verses I will now share with you all. It’s amazing how the Lord uses examples from our lives to illustrate spiritual truths and give us spiritual understanding.
The boat symbolizes the world. We’re all aboard this same ship and going along for the ride. Some of us are feeling seemingly calm, content and comfortable because we have repented, gotten ourselves inside the Ark and have no fear of the ‘storm’. Others may also be calm, but for a different reason. Perhaps, because they are keeping busy with their everyday life and have no idea we are in a storm and heading in more treacherous waters. At this point, for those who are not paying attention, the atmosphere appears somewhat relaxed with the sun shining overhead and no obvious danger on the radar. But not for those of us who are engaged in the Spirit! We are well aware that what surrounds us is merely an illusion -a temporary state of tranquility before all breaks loose.
Acts 27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because THE WINDS WERE CONTRARY.
The storm has been raging for some time. So far the winds have been blowing softly enough to lullaby many to sleep. But they are picking up speed and becoming increasingly stronger, gently beating against us while churning up the sea of uncertainty.
Acts 27:7 And when WE HAD SAILED SLOWLY MANY DAYS, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, THE WIND NOT SUFFERING US, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone.
We are at a point where things may feel stagnant; where changes have been consistent enough to the point we have become accustomed to them. Many even thinking this is all normal and it will soon resolve. All the while things continue to steadily worsen.
Acts 27:9-10 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, PAUL ADMONISHED THEM, 10 AND SAID UNTO THEM, SIRS, I PERCEIVE THAT THIS VOYAGE WILL BE WITH HURT AND MUCH DAMAGE, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
Prophets have warned for years that things are going to get REALLY rough, with much pain and damage due to the sword, the famine, new pestilences and intense persecution that await us.
Acts 27:13-14 And when THE SOUTH WIND BLEW SOFTLY, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete. 14 BUT NOT LONG AFTER THERE AROSE AGAINST IT A TEMPESTUOUS WIND.
Things have appeared like a gentle wind blowing in comparison to what is coming, but it won’t be long now before it will pick up speed and intensity.
Acts 27:18 And WE BEING EXCEEDINGLY TOSSED WITH A TEMPEST, THE NEXT DAY THEY LIGHTENED THE SHIP.
When the storm will grow fiercer, it will force many to seek the Lord and to lighten themselves up by throwing away their idols.
Ezek.7:19 They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: THEIR SILVER AND THEIR GOLD SHALL NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER THEM IN THE DAY OF THE WRATH OF THE LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
Acts 27:20 And WHEN NEITHER SUN NOR STARS IN MANY DAYS APPEARED, and no small tempest lay on us, ALL HOPE THAT WE SHOULD BE SAVED WAS THEN TAKEN AWAY.
The storm will rage for many days. So much so that no end will be seen in sight. During this time, many will give up their hope of being delivered from it, not realizing their salvation is in the Lord.
Acts 27:22 And now I exhort you to BE OF GOOD CHEER: for THERE SHALL BE NO LOSS OF ANY MAN’S LIFE AMONG YOU, BUT THE SHIP.
For those who are in the Lord, they may suffer physical loss, but their lives will be spared, spiritually speaking, because whether physically dead or alive we shall live in Christ forevermore.
1 Cor.3:14-15 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Acts 27:33 And while the day was coming on, PAUL BESOUGHT THEM ALL TO TAKE MEAT, saying, THIS DAY IS THE FOURTEENTH DAY THAT YE HAVE TARRIED AND CONTINUED FASTING, HAVING TAKEN NOTHING.
Due to the lingering of the storm, many will experience great losses. For some it will feel like they are losing their minds; that they have nothing worthwhile to live for. They will seek death as their solution only to find themselves in hell for eternity. Father said, ‘Remember Job’. If you are like one of his children, you may be partying one moment and dead the next. If you’re like Job, you may lose your earthly possessions, livestock, even your own immediate family and your health. Yet, despite all, you will remember what Job said in Job 1: 21 Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for THERE SHALL NOT AN HAIR FALL FROM THE HEAD OF ANY OF YOU.
For those who are in Christ Jesus, or surrender their lives to Him during this time, not a hair of their head will perish, but they will reap eternal life with the Lord.
Luk.21:18 But THERE SHALL NOT AN HAIR OF YOUR HEAD PERISH.
Acts 27:35 And WHEN HE HAD THUS SPOKEN, HE TOOK BREAD, AND GAVE THANKS TO GOD in presence of them all: AND WHEN HE HAD BROKEN IT, HE BEGAN TO EAT.
This taking of the bread reminded me of the Communion -the partaking of the Word of God by giving it a place of honour in our lives.
During this time, there will be a great hunger for God’s Word and many will seek salvation through Jesus Christ the Messiah.
Amos 8:11 BEHOLD, THE DAYS COME, SAITH THE LORD GOD, THAT I WILL SEND A FAMINE IN THE LAND, NOT A FAMINE OF BREAD, NOR A THIRST FOR WATER, BUT OF HEARING THE WORDS OF THE LORD.
Ecc.11:1 CAST THY BREAD UPON THE WATERS: FOR THOU SHALT FIND IT AFTER MANY DAYS.
It will be through much persecution that the Gospel will be spread for many to receive salvation, healing and deliverance. When their zeal for the Lord is renewed, old and new believers alike will set themselves to go out and make disciples.
If you knew a physical storm was coming your way, what sort of things would you deem necessary as preparation? How much more for a spiritual storm! Please seek Father to shine His light in your heart to show you what sort of things you still need to repent from. Put on your full armour of God. Seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Fast, pray, and read God’s Word incessantly. ANCHOR YOURSELF IN THE LORD!
As we prepare to weather out the storm, may we find refuge in the name of the Lord that is Our Fortress, the Ark of our salvation.
Psa.69:14-15 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters. 15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
Isa.40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isa.43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Psa.19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
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