Satan’s Storms, God’s Strength.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:31-35
What Satan uses with the intent to destroy, God uses to deliver.
When you try to put God on your side, you become vulnerable to the trials of life, but when you are on God’s side, nothing can harm you. Focus on the love of Christ in every situation, and nothing will be able to conquer you. “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20). Even in the worst of situations, God is still there and He can work for your good if you pursue Him. Satan sought to destroy God at the cross, but God used to deliver us from our sin.
For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14
God will always deliver, the question is whether or not you will allow Him to use you to be a part of His mode of delivering.
Satan gives you temptations, but God gives you grace.
God does not tempt you, He gives you the grace you need when you are tempted. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God;’ for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” (James 1:13). Satan cannot give you grace, he only tempts you, hoping you will fall and not trust God to bring you out of your situation. But God is so rich in His power and mercy that every situation Satan brings against you only shows God’s grace and glory clearer. Therefore, you have nothing to fear from the attacks of the enemy when your hope is in God. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ Says the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17). No one can argue with God, so when His righteousness covers you (2 Corinthians 5:21) you will have victory over every adversary that comes against you.
Develop the kind of faith that steps out of the boat and walks to Jesus.
When your faith is in God’s powers, you have nothing to fear from the waves around you. The waves around you may cause you to fear, or they can draw you near to God’s presence in the midst of the storm. Storms will either break you or make you trust in God. If you choose to trust in God in the midst of a storm, His strength will shine through you and you will become an example for others to turn to when they are in stormy waters. Satan brings storms to break you, but God uses those same storms to build your trust in Him. If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will turn to God in your storms and step out of the boat. As you step out of the boat in faith, you will walk on water not because of your great faith, but because His grace covers you. Trust in His grace, put on His righteousness, and step out of the boat to follow Him.