Safe In The Storm

PHOTO CAPTION: Weathering the storm with attitude!

Storms come and storms go in our lives. Some last only a moment and other storms leave marks that take years to recover from. Yet it is possible to weather whatever storm comes your way, when you are listening and trusting God. It’s possible to persevere in the worst of storms, overcome extreme adversity and keep growing when you take your fears, current circumstances and your lack of confidence to God in prayer.

I don’t know what kind of storm you might be facing right now. It could be any number of things – relationship issues, job concerns, mounting medical bills, depression, addiction or maybe you are simply sick and tired of all the bad news we hear everyday. Tsunami’s, earthquakes, random violence which is sometimes way to close to home for comfort, wars or the erosion of honesty and moral values that seems to be present right now. Whatever storm you are facing, be assured that God knows and He has a plan.

God had a plan for Noah and his family. God was disturbed by the sin and violence in the world. Hey, if you find yourself disturbed just by the headlines in our world, you can be sure God was disturbed. In Genesis 6, it states it this way, “Every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” They didn’t even have one kind, decent thought. Yikes! In verse 11 it says, “Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence.” Does that sound kind of like today? Violence, anger, everyone wanting their own way? Anyway, God decided to put an end to all of this by destroying the evil and the earth. He sent a huge storm and flooded the earth, but not before He provided a way out for Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man who walked and talked with God and that got God’s attention. He told Noah to build a big boat on dry land because He was sending a flood. Noah listened and obeyed. He did everything just as the Lord commanded him.

Can you imagine all that Noah and his family went through? First they had to gather all the materials and start building. Building a boat of Ark proportions didn’t happen overnight. It took years. Some historians say it was around 50 years to build the Ark. While they were building, Noah’s neighbors laughed at him. They thought ol’ Noah was a little bonkers, a little off his rocker, but that didn’t stop Noah and his sons. Noah persevered. He and his sons kept building.

Then they had to load all the animals onboard. Again God helped them by bringing the animals to them and finally shutting the door when all were onboard. Still it was no easy task and the storm was far from over. The rain came down in torrents. I’m guessing the wind blew and quite likely there was thunder and lightning too. It was a storm of massive proportions. The Ark was buffeted by the storm for 40 long days and nights. That was a long time to be tossed about in the middle of a storm. I wonder if Noah passed the time marking off the days or if he was kept busy with all the animals. I wonder if he sighed as he looked out on another day of rain. What about when he saw the plight of his neighbors, did he cry? I think Noah prayed a lot and he continued to walk with God as he strode back and forth on the deck of the Ark. Finally the storm stopped, but Noah’s time as captain of the Ark was not done yet. He had to wait until the water receded. He needed patience to see the flood through to the end and he needed to keep trusting God.

Noah, his family and the animals were kept safe not because Noah kept all the rules, but because he trusted and walked with God. Yes, he was a righteous man. He trusted and obeyed God, but I believe he was righteous because he had a relationship with God. I believe walking and talking with God was a daily thing for Noah. His relationship with God kept him during the storm and that relationship will also keep us through every storm we might go through. You can be sure of that because “God cares for those who trust in Him.”

How can we weather life’s storms? I think Noah might say, “Walk with God, keep trusting and praying, don’t give up, persevere and follow God’s directions. God will keep you safe. He will see you through, because God cares for you.”

PARENT PRAYER:
Dear God,
How I want to walk and talk with you like Noah. It seems like there is always a storm brewing somewhere. I have plenty to be thankful for, yet my life is not without storms. Questions niggle at my mind, “Am I prepared for full retirement? How are my kids and grandkids doing? How can I truly give and help others? How can proclaim your name to my friends, neighbors and family? Is there a big storm coming?” I don’t know the answers to these questions. Just recently, there were a couple of murders not too far from where I live. I know these things can happen anywhere, but I’m tired of turning on the news and hearing of yet another act of violence. When is it all going to end, God? Have we, as believers who walk and talk with you, missed the mark? Have I become so busy with my own life that I have neglected to share the good news with others? Lord, give me opportunities to share the good news of the gospel in loving and caring ways. Teach me, Lord, and teach those you’ve placed in my life how to set aside distractions to spend time in your presence, time walking and talking with you, time listening to what you have to say to us. I know that you can and will give us good instructions just like you gave Noah when he built the Ark. Thank you that I can rest in you when storms come, knowing that you are with me and you will keep me safe, safe in your presence in the midst of every storm.
I trust you. Amen

OVERCOMING CHILDHOOD FEARS

• Some common childhood fears are the dark, big dogs, thunder, doctors, leaving their parents, bugs and imaginary monsters to name a few. How can we help our kids have confidence in the midst of the scary things they face?
• Realize that some fear is good. All of us have fears from time to time, but fear that paralyzes us is not good. Let your child know it’s okay to feel a little afraid and help them face those fears. Just like we can rely on God to always be with us, walk with your child through their fears.
  • Having something familiar to hang on to in a scary situation can help your young child face that fear – a favorite stuffy or blanket, anything that is special to them.
• For separation anxiety, prepare your child ahead of time. Let them know what to expect, how long you will be gone and assure them the you will be back soon.
• Childhood fears may not seem big to us as adults, but to kids they are very real. That monster under the bed is real to your child. A night light or a flashlight that they can turn on when afraid can be helpful. You may even try something silly such as teaming up together with your child as “strong monster slayers” and chase that monster right out of the room. Ask God to give you wisdom to address childhood fears. I taught my daughter a song from a Bible verse and sang it to her at night. Ps. 56:3 “What time I am afraid, I will trust in you.” KJV
  • Let your child know that you think they are brave. You can tell them, “You are strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:9 “… Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you.” Pray with your child when they are afraid. Knowing that God is with them and can help them is a great confidence builder.

Kid’s Section

STORY: Safe In The Storm – Genesis 8
Noah loved and obeyed God and God loved Noah. (Give self a hug.) After Noah built the ark, (Pretend to hammer.) God said, “Noah, it’s time for you and your family to get into the Ark because soon it’s going to rain. It’s time to get the animals on board too.” Noah listened and did exactly what God asked him to do.

Then when everyone was safe in the Ark, God shut the door (Clap hand.) and listen; (Cup hand by ear.) pitter, patter, pitter patter, it began to rain. (Pat knees.) Drop, drop, drop, the rain fell harder and harder! The wind blew! (Whooo!!) It was a very, very bad storm. It was the BIGGEST storm ever! The rain and the wind rocked the Ark back and forth as the water rose and covered the earth. (Rock back and forth.) Would the rain ever stop? When would the storm be over? For forty days and nights the rain continued to fall until the Ark was floating high above the highest mountains. (Reach up high.)

Outside the Ark the world was wet and dreary. It looked like a BIG ocean, but inside, Noah, his family and the animals were safe and dry. Finally, the rain stopped, (Clap hands once.) Noah looked out the window. There was water everywhere! (Put hands by eyes as though looking.) He couldn’t get out of the Ark yet.

Did God forget about Noah? No, not at all! God was still taking care of him. He sent a wind to blow and dry up the water. (Whooo!!) Once again Noah looked out the window. He let a dove out the window to see if it could find a tree to nest in. (Flap wings like a bird.) The dove came back to the Ark. Again Noah let the dove out of the window and again the dove came back. The next time he let the dove out, it didn’t come back. Finally, Noah, his family and the animals were able to get out of the Ark. They were so happy to be on dry ground again. They knew God had kept them safe during the storm! They worshiped God and thanked Him for keeping them safe.

God took care of Noah just like he said he would and God will take good care of you too because God really loves you. I wonder if Noah and his family ever felt afraid during the storm? If they did, they didn’t stay afraid for long because they knew God was with them. They knew that God would keep them safe. I’m sure they talked to God too. Noah and his family made up their minds to obey and trust God and God took care of them even when it was storming. You can make up your mind to obey and trust God too — no matter what happens because God cares for you all the time, yes, even when it’s raining.

PRAYER:
Dear God,
Thank you for keeping Noah and his family safe during the storm. I know that you will be with me too. You will keep me safe even when it’s storming outside. I love you. Amen

KNOW: I can trust God when I am afraid. He is with me.
TALK ABOUT: Storms. God kept Noah, his family and the animals safe during a very big storm.
ASK: Who loves you? God loves me.
AND DO… Talk to God whenever you feel afraid.

FUN IDEAS FOR THIS WEEK:
*  Float boats or anything that floats in the bathtub and talk about Noah’s Ark.

*  If there is a thunderstorm at your house, stop and listen. Talk about how God is with us in a storm or any time. No storms? Simulate one by turning on the fan and lightly mist your kids with water from a spray bottle and make storm noises. Talk about how Noah kept God’s commands and God kept him safe.

MEMORIZE: Nahum 1:7 ERV – (Hands like holding a book.)
He (God) – (Point up.)
Cares for – (Rub hand across arm.)
Those who trust – (Hands open, pull into fists.)
In Him – (Point upwards again.)