One day Jesus said to the disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” Luke 8:22
Following Jesus led the disciples right into a storm! There are many situations where life would be easier if it was not for Jesus.
Faith factors in the ability of God, but it does more than that. It also submits to the sovereignty of God. If you factor in the ability of God without submitting to the sovereignty of God, you will have trouble.
J. C. Ryle pointed out that Christ often leads us into storms. “If you are a believer you must reckon on having your share of sickness and pain, sorrow and tears, losses and crosses, deaths and bereavements, partings and separations, vexations and disappointments, so long as you are in the body. Christ never undertakes that you shall get to heaven without these.”
“How would we know who are true Christians if following Christ was the way to be free from trouble? How should we know if men served Christ for His own sake or from selfish motives if serving Him only brought health and wealth? The winds of winter show us which trees are evergreen. The harvest of the Lord’s field is seldom ripened by sunshine only.”
“If you desire to serve Christ and be saved, take the Lord on his own terms. Make up your mind to meet with your share of crosses and sorrows and then you will not be surprised. For want of understanding this, many seem to run well for a season and then turn back and are cast away.”
Jesus never promised fair weather sailing, only that we would arrive at the destination. God has a place for storms as well as for still waters.
Where do you need to submit to the sovereignty of God?
