READ: PSALMS 46:1-3; 61:1-3; MATTHEW 14:22-33; HEBREWS 13:8

You are my refuge and strength,

My strong tower in the storm.

So I do not shudder as

The clouds darken.

You promised peace

In the midst of turmoil,

Peace that does not falter,

So I stand firm as the thunder rolls.

And as the rain pours down

I remind myself of the one

Who walked upon the waves

To reach for me in the storm.

And though the wind howls and

The waters threaten to overwhelm me,

I will keep my gaze on You,

The only one who never changes. • Emily Gwaltney

• Which line sticks out to you most in this poem? Why? Can you find a verse from today’s Scriptures that inspired this line?

• What kinds of storms have you experienced lately? We all go through storms, like doubt, fear, uncertainty…upheaval in our relationships, finances, or health…or struggles with sin. But in every storm, Jesus is with us. As we fix our gaze on Him, we find peace and strength in His unwavering love for us (Hebrews 12:1-3). Jesus has already saved us from the greatest storm of being lost forever, so all the other storms we experience pale in comparison. Like Jesus reached out to save Peter when he was sinking beneath the waves, Jesus reached out for us (Matthew 14:31). He came to rescue us from sin and death by dying for us and rising again. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can look forward to the day He will return,and every storm will finally be stilled. And in the meantime, we can always find refuge in Him.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)