Buzzword - Calming the Storm
Times may change, but very little else does - the same questionings, the same torments, the same doubts beset today's world; but the same abiding Divine Presence is there to rescue and to strengthen.
Job 38: 1, 8-11: The author of the Book of Job sets himself to deal with the human situation presented by the tormented, devout yet rebellious man, Job, who demands that God "justify His ways to men". The answer Job received more than satisfied him and brought about a change in Job's outlook.
2 Corinthians 5: 14-17: Under the influence of Christ's presence, human nature has the power to renew itself and to view negative situations through positive eyes.
Mark 4: 35-41: Similarly, in this passage , we have a lesson in discipleship under stress where Christ's presence brings assurance.
Point 1: How often is the question asked "What sort of world are we living in"? Floods, Famine, Starvation, Terrorism, Corruption, Abuse on unparalleled scale..... Throughout the centuries, the same question has given rise to other questions that are greater than any answers that we can find in ourselves - Who are we? What are we? What is our origin? What is our destiny? What is the point of existence? The growing child puts question after question; the growing adult still keeps putting questions. And to whatever extent human science succeeds in unravelling some of the mystery, the complete answers only come in the acknowledgement that man is not supreme.
Point 2: Under the impact of so much "bad news", many have become discouraged, even disillusioned. Whether it is within the family, or within the Church community, or within the broader civil society, national or international, crises leave their mark on individuals causing them to question, to challenge existing structures and beliefs.. Throughout the centuries, explanations of the existence of evil have come from various great intellects many of whom lived before Christ. Their solutions, however, were based on purely philosophical arguments and do not provide a complete answer. Christian writers present an explanation in which it is argued that Christ's death and Resurrection reveal to us, as no other events can, the power of God to draw good out of evil. His death represented the triumph of evil over good, injustice over justice; but, as St. Augustine states -"God judged it better to make good out of evil than not to allow evil at all" (City of God xxii.1) and this has been achieved in His resurrection and continued presence amongst people - " I am with you all days, even to the end of the world"..
Conclusion: In times of difficulty, then, we need to take to heart Christ's "O ye of little faith" to acknowledge that if times are difficult now, they have been as difficult in the past - probably more so - and such trials invariably resulted in a cleansing and strengthening force. Through His continued presence, Christ continues to raise up witnesses to the one truth that matters over all others - His resurrection - which continues to affirm the triumph of good out of evil..
Scriptural reference: [ 1 Cor 15:14] if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.