Not All Storms Are Bad
God can use the storms of life to fulfill His will and bring showers of blessing.
Warren Wiersbe preaches on the powerful imagery in Psalms 18:7-15, illustrating how God works when He comes to the aid of His children. These verses depict God as the Creator and Deliverer who uses nature to assist His people. When in God's will, nature works for the child of God, but when out of His will, everything works against them, as seen in the contrast between David and Jonah's experiences. Wiersbe emphasizes that God can use the storms of life to fulfill His will and bring blessings, encouraging listeners not to fear the storms but to trust in God's sovereignty.
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Read Psalm 18:7-15
These verses present one of the greatest descriptions of a storm found in the Bible. It is a graphic picture of the way God works when He comes to the aid of His children. David was saying in these verses that God the Creator, God the Deliverer, used everything in nature to come to his aid. The earth shook, down to its foundations. Smoke came up, and fire came out. Coals were kindled. The heavens bowed down. The wind began to blow, for God was coming on the wings of the wind. We see darkness, dark waters, thick clouds, even hailstones and coals of fire. Thunder, lightning--the very breath of God was blowing across the fields.
When the child of God is in His will, all of nature works for him. When the child of God is out of His will, everything works against him. Remember Jonah? He ran away from God in disobedience, and what happened? A storm appeared. The wind and waves were violent. That little boat went up and down on the ocean like a cork. Even the mariners were worried. Jonah disobeyed God, and everything in nature worked against him. David obeyed God, and everything in nature worked for him.
God can use the storms of life to fulfill His will. Is the wind blowing? He is flying on the wings of the wind. Are the clouds thick? He will bring showers of blessing out of them. Don't be afraid of the storm. Storms can come from the hand of God and be the means of blessing.
Sermon Outline
- God's Power in Storms
- David's Experience in Psalm 18
- Nature Works for God's Children
- Nature Works Against Disobedient Children
Key Quotes
“The wind and waves were violent. That little boat went up and down on the ocean like a cork.” — Warren Wiersbe
“Is the wind blowing? He is flying on the wings of the wind.” — Warren Wiersbe
“Don't be afraid of the storm. Storms can come from the hand of God and be the means of blessing.” — Warren Wiersbe
Application Points
- We should trust in God's power and provision when faced with challenges.
- Obedience to God is essential for experiencing His blessing and protection.
- We should not be afraid of the storms of life, but instead see them as opportunities for growth and blessing.