Eye of the Storm

Sherry and I lived on Guam from January 1986 to June 1992. During that time, we had to batten down the hatches for three typhoons: Lynn in October of 1987, Roy in January 1988, and Russ in December 1990. We had heard stories of the destructive storms Karen (1962) and Pamela (1976) and how almost the whole island had to be rebuilt.

During one big storm, I was in the hospital under anesthesia for an operation. At one point, the power went out at the hospital, just when I happened to be “under the knife”! Sherry prayed fervently in the dark waiting room until the hospital generators finally kicked back into operation. I came out of it all just fine, thank you Father!

Many other typhoons we “prayed away” during that time and they would dissipate or veer away from us. Two months after we left Guam, Super Typhoon Omar hit the island.

One of the amazing things about typhoons is their “eye” in the center. This about 30-mile circle is relatively calm compared to the up to 200-mile per hour winds and torrential storms around it. During Typhoon Roy, I remember being in our little Maite apartment with windows and sliding doors boarded up for protection. When Roy hit, the sound of the wind was like a train rushing overhead.

But after a while it stopped. Realizing this must be the eye, we cautiously removed the big board over one of the sliding doors. This commanded a beautiful view of Oka Point and Guam’s west coast past Two Lover’s Point.  The sun was shining and everything looked fine. We could see a wall of dark cloud in the distance, but we were in the midst of calm. There were palm fronds and other debris around the apartment complex, but things were sunny and quiet.

About 15 minutes later, we decided to board things up again. Not long after, we heard the winds return and the crashing of items being hurled against the building. Eventually Roy passed, with two people dead and almost $30 million in damage. More than 200 homes had been wiped out in Guam and the nearby island of Rota. Things would have been a lot better if everyone could have been in the “eye” and not the storm.

Psalms 57:1 [ESV]:
In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

Staying Secure in the Storm’s Eye

David knew about shepherding and living in adverse weather conditions. And he knew that the Lord cared for him no matter what storms arose.

Psalms 23:3,4 [ESV]:
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Even though we live in the middle of a chaotic and spiritually bizarre world, God leads us in paths of righteousness. We can stay in the eye, with the storm blowing all around us.

Psalms 91:4,7 [ESV]:
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

Remember how Moses and Joshua led God’s people miraculously in the “eye” of great and mighty waters?

Exodus 14:22 [ESV]:
And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Joshua 3:17 [ESV]:
Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

Some of our spiritual storms involve people who work for the adversary. Even though they try to trample on our God-given rights and cut us off from God’s blessings, our Father’s faithful love will keep us safe.

Psalms 57:2-4 [ESV]:
I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!
My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Claiming Christ’s Peace

We can remain safe in the eye of the storm through the accomplished works of our savior, Jesus Christ. God gave him full authority at His right hand, where Christ is lord today (Philippians 2:9-11). We have authority over life’s storms, right in the midst of our spiritual enemies, in his name.

Psalms 110:1,2 [ESV]:
The Lord says to my Lord [the Messiah]: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!

We may walk in the midst of trouble, with the Devil’s winds trying to blast us away, yet God daily stretches out His hand and delivers us. The key is to stay meek and trust Him.

Psalms 138:6,7 [ESV]:
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

When Jesus was in his home town, the people began to storm around him, desiring to kill him. Yet, he stayed peaceful in the “eye” his Father provided.

Luke 4:29,30 [ESV]:
And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.
But passing through their midst, he went away.

Jesus promised that we can stay in the storm’s eye during life’s tribulations and cares.

John 14:27 [ESV]:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 [ESV]:
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Let’s ride out today’s storms, sheltered in the “eye” where God’s Son gives us peace.