When we are facing trials and issues it can be disheartening. Most people like to try to figure out why they are facing the storms of their lives. I have talked to many people that are afraid when they are going through a storm that perhaps they are doing something wrong. The questions of 'what is going on' with this situation and 'why am I going through this' weighs on the hearts and minds of many people.
All of us have studied the story of Jonah, or heard someone teach it to us when we were a child. Most of the time the story of Jonah is either told through the eyes of heaven, or through the eyes of Jonah, but, I want you to stop for just a minute and think about the captain of the boat. Think of the story of Jonah, and imagine for a minute what the captain of that boat must have went through during that journey.
He is starting out this journey to Tarshish just like any other ocean charter he has ever sailed. He has his supplies, his boat, his crew, his cargo, and finally his passengers. Everything seems to be fine. He checks the signs of nature and any incoming reports from people who have been out on the sea. The weather should be fine. He is hoping for an uneventful trip. Then the best luck and fortune that could ever happen to a Captain happened. The PROPHET of the Lord wanted to ride on HIS boat! That would ensure the hand of God on this trip. This is going to be so easy with Jonah aboard, cause God is with him. It would seem like a blessing, but, the captain did not know that Johan was a man running from God!
Here they are in the midst of the ocean, and POW, up comes the worst storm. They are all fighting for their lives! They are throwing all supplies over board. They are fearful that this storm is the mother of all storms, and she is going to take them out. Each man began to call upon his God to save them. BUT WHERE IS THE PROPHET WHEN THEY NEED HIM THE MOST? They finally find him below decks ASLEEP. Can you imagine the thoughts of this captain. Here is this man asleep, when they are all fighting for our lives.
They prayed for deliverance from God, but, God would not help them. The Captain begins questioning the situation. What is going on? Who sinned, who brought this trouble? Why am I in this storm? Is God trying to teach me anything? What are my options? They decided to cast lots to see who's sin had brought this storm upon them. The lot fell to Jonah! Now the captain is shocked! What did you do! Jonah then confesses that he is a man who is running from God. The Captain and these other men did not do anything to bring on this storm, but, because they were in the same boat as JONAH, all of their lives were now in danger! The Captain tried everything he could to save he ship, but, in the end Jonah tells the captain the only way to save them all is to throw him overboard into the sea. The Captain is a good man, he doesn't want to do this. Finally, he prays and ask God not to hold him responsible for Jonah's death...and they throw Jonah into the sea...and immediately the storm stopped!
Whatever storm you are facing right now, it may not be the result of anything you have or haven't done. You may be in a storm right now cause you are in the same boat with someone who has sinned against God, and stirred up trouble. There are certain relationships, certain places of work, certain places of worship, certain homes that if you want to hang on to them, you will always be in the middle of a storm! How long with the storm last? The storm will last as long as whoever is bringing the storm is in the middle of your boat! Sometimes we are like the boat captain. We don't want to have to bring an end to a situation, cause we don't want to feel that we have abandoned anyone at sea, but, there are times you have to clean out your boat and start fresh!
2 Peter talks about people that they are driven by the storm...clouds carried with the tempest.
These are springs without water and mists driven
by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity
they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the
ones who live in error, 19promising them freedom while they themselves are
slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved 2 Peter 17-18
If there are people in you boat that are arrogant, and talk crazy words, and have fleshly 'hang ups' these are the kind of people that are driven by the storms of life. Keep them in your boat, and the storm will eventually destroy your ship!
