RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-08-06	Is Jesus Sovereign Over Every Storm?
		We all remember the story in the Bible where Jesus calmed the storm (Mt.8:23-27; Mk.4:35-41). Our question is whether Jesus calms storms thereafter. This question concerns God's sovereignty over events of life. For us to conclude that Jesus rules over all storms everywhere all the time, we need to look to Scripture. There are several Bible verses that give us the truth needed to draw the conclusion that Jesus does govern over all storms everywhere at any time. Point 1: When the disciples saw Jesus calm the storm the conclusion they drew was that this particular miracle was not an isolated event. They drew the conclusion that Jesus was a particular kind of person. They saw His power as larger than this specific event. They said, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mk.4:41, also Mt.8:27). What this passage is teaching is that Jesus is the Son of God. That is who He is. So the Son of God is the sort of Person who can do this. Point 2: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (He.13:8) So Jesus has the same power today that He had when He calmed the storm in the first century. He is still that kind of Person. Point 3: This same Jesus said to His disciples, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.” (Mt.10:29). Jesus used what was seen as the most insignificant event (falling of a sparrow) to teach God's involvement in life's detailed events. The context is that the disciples will be persecuted and killed (Mt.10:28), and Jesus is comforting them with His words. The point is not that the Father merely watches, but that He is active in their lives, otherwise Jesus' words would not be of much comfort. Point 4: The reigning Jesus who is the same forever holds everything together (Cl.1:17). Col 1:17  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. The entire universe is held together by the power of God. If He did not do this, everything would fly apart. Paul also said, “He upholds all things by the word of His power” (He.1:3). God is the 'cosmic glue' sustaining and holding together everything. Since He is actively holding all things together, then He certainly is actively involved with your life. Point 5: Jesus “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Ep.1:11) Not just things, but “all things”. It is His will and not our will. God is involved in the details of our lives. Point 6: “Whatever the LORD pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places” (Ps.135:6) “All deep places” is where all earthquakes and tsunamis come from. Nothing occurs without His will and power's influence, and that includes your life situations. Point 7: Whenever someone dies from some tragedy (e.g., tornado, hurricane, tsunami, or pandemic etc.) it is not an exception that is outside of His control. The writer of the book of Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away” (Jb.1:21) as an acknowledgement of Who is in control. Jas 4:14  whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Jas 4:15  Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." Notice the shortness of life is connected with the Lord's will. Life and death are ultimately in the hand of the Lord. Point 8: The foreknowledge of God foresees a tragedy, and if He permits what He sees, then this permitted act is part of His plan since He could have stopped it. God does not make such choices to permit or stop loosely. He is infinitely wise. That is, He always acts according to the counsel of His will. Point 9: The sovereignty of God over all things is pervasive and all encompassing. You do not have to logically infer it, it is just everywhere. It says He governs the wind, lightening, snow, frogs, nats, flies, locusts, quale, worms, fish, sparrows, grass, plants, famine, the sun, prison doors, blindness, deafness, paralysis, fever, every disease, travel plans, the hearts of kings, and nations. They all obey His sovereign will. So what is our take away from this teaching on God's sovereignty? This should encourage us to not worry about things of this life. God is in control, and He knows what is best. This is true even if we think otherwise. This should calm our fears knowing God is not surprised by anything. So is Jesus sovereign over every storm? Yes indeed! Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Independent and Evangelical Church

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