“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.” Matthew 24:6a
The world has recently been stirred up in new and unsettling ways. I saw a new category on the ABC News website: “Unrest, conflict and war”. A level 5 cyclone, Trump, Israel, Ukraine, Elections, Bushfires, Floods, Cost of living, Musk, Russia, Gaza, and that is just the topics from the last few weeks. We live in times Jesus told us about when nation will rise against nation and famines and earthquakes will happen (Matthew 24:7).
The things happening in the news these days could keep you awake at night. The decisions made by governments and armies across the world, both predictable and unpredictable, have the power to ricochet in our hearts. Today’s headlines become tonight’s restless sleep. Be warned, Ps. Bill Johnson says it takes no faith to be afraid.
As Jesus and the disciples sailed at night, a wild storm developed and the waves crashed over their boat. Jesus was fast asleep on a cushion until a group of very scared disciples woke him up. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Now awake, Jesus stood up and told the wind and the waves to be still. The disciples were afraid until they realised that even the wind and the waves obeyed the Lord’s command. (Mark 4:35-41)
Who else can speak to the storm? It took a horrifying and tumultuous storm for the disciples to see and understand that they were in the presence of the Living God. They saw and heard that his words were powerful. “Who is this?” They wondered, and yet they knew exactly, whose presence they were in. Jesus was the reason why they had already left everything. He is the Messiah.
We have the same opportunity to be in a relationship with the Living God. We share our prayers with Him, and He shares His powerful word with us. Through His word we learn who God is and by hearing our faith grows. With faith in our heart, we can be of good courage. We can hear about wars and rumours of wars without being alarmed. We can prepare our home for the cyclone on the radar without fear, because we walk with the Living God who calms the storm.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
This was originally posted on the blog, Dancing on Water in March, 2025 https://dancing-on-water.com/, but my guess it will remain relevant for a long time to come. xo Anna.
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