I remember several big storms in my lifetime. When I was eight, my sister and I took shelter in the small shed adjacent to our house.Seated on a lawnmower, I felt safe from the pelting rain and crashing thunder. Growing up in Missouri, I would often lay at the foot of my bed at night to look out the window as lightning streaked across the sky. I counted “1-2-3-4” and heard the boom of thunder not far away. I felt at peace despite the wild weather outside, comforted to have access to a safe and loving home.
Years later, I felt an inner storm of fear and confusion as a twenty-year-old college student. When I cried to God, he sent a born-again believer to show me the access I could have to Him through Jesus Christ. I was comforted by the truth, and that brought me peace within.
Psalms 119:50:
This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
I learned that by making Jesus my lord and believing God raised him from the dead, I would be justified from all of my past sins, with access to God as my heavenly Father. I would have the comfort and safety of His peace!
Romans 5:1,2:
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
My Dad always had an “open door” policy. If I ever needed any help, I could go directly to him. He helped me with baseball and even stayed up one night to finish a science project I had left till the last minute.
Sometimes the “storms” in my life seemed almost unbearable. As I approached adolescence, I was ignorant of what was going on in my body. I thought that I must have a horrible disease and would soon die. I cried myself to sleep.
The next morning, still sobbing, I went to Dad and told him of my heart-rending fears. He comforted me and even took me to the doctor to make sure I was “at peace” about the whole situation. I was simply experiencing a normal physical process. The storm passed.
When we were “without God,” Jesus Christ came to give us access to our heavenly Father. Being born again, we are part of the body of Christ and have peace with God.
Ephesians 2:16-18:
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
This “open door” to God was His purpose for us throughout the ages. Now, in Christ Jesus, we can boldly and confidently claim our access to the Father!
Ephesians 3:11,12:
According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
It was Jesus Christ who made known the Father. It is his name alone that is given among men whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). In the access that Jesus Christ provides to the Father, we have rest and peace.
Matthew 11:27-30:
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
When the storms of life crash around you, enjoy the safety and peace of fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ our lord.
