In this Episode we shall conclude our theme on-Overcoming Challenges and Crises
with the topic- When the Waves Come. Recall that in the last two Episodes, we
concluded that if we want to be adequately prepared for the waves and storms of life,
we must develop an intimate and close relationship with our Father, stay in close
fellowship and walk with Him on a daily basis; even when on the surface, everything
seems to be going well. Today we shall consider how to respond to the challenges and
storms of life when they come.
As we conclude the theme on facing challenges, let’s go back to our text in Mathew
chapter 7, verses 24-27. This scripture states- “Anyone who listens to my teaching and
obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock…. But anyone who
hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.
When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a
mighty crash."
Did you get that? Jesus says we are foolish when we ignore the Word of God! He also
says that a person who ignores the Word of God is not only foolish but will fall when the
rains and floods come. He will fall because his mind is not renewed! And because his
mind is not renewed, he has no roots. And he lacks the necessary weapons to resist the
devil and conquer hardship.
The first thing to do when a storm breaks in our lives is to examine ourselves to
determine where we stand; amongst the wise or the foolish! If you have been foolish,
you need to change course. The good news is that we are serving a loving,
compassionate God who is always willing to give us a second chance. If you have been
staying at a distance with God and His Word; or you are one of those who visit with God
only on Sundays or once in a while, you have been building on sand. You need to start
a project of reconstruction of your house. You would need to start studying the word of
God, worshipping the Lord, practicing intimacy with Him and confessing His word over
your life and circumstances. One cannot pretend that it would be easy to change your
lifestyle at a time of crises but the Lord sees the heart and His grace is always available
to anyone who sincerely desires His help.
How do we face trials? God knows that His children will face trials and challenges so he
says in Isaiah 43: 1-3, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by
name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with
you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through
the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I
am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour”.
When a crisis comes your way, you must not make the mistake of seeking help
elsewhere, going back to Egypt or staying away from the presence of God. It is a sign of
immaturity to stay away from God. A crisis actually grants you an opportunity to test
your faith in God. Lets consider the story of Abraham. Why was Abraham ready to obey

God even if it meant sacrificing Isaac? Romans 4: 3 says "Abraham believed God”.
What did Abraham believe? Hebrews 11:17-19 sheds light on Abraham’s belief. It says:
“ It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.
Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,
though God had promised him, Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be
counted. Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him back to life
again”. Simply put, Abraham had so much faith in God that he believed that since God
had promised him that he would be a great nation through Isaac, then even if he killed
Isaac, God would bring Isaac back to life in order to fulfill His promise! Abraham
believed he would have uncountable descendants because God said so.
Abraham believed God in the midst of the worst trial that anyone could face. He
believed God inspite of the circumstance. He believed that even if he killed Isaac, God
would bring Isaac back to life in order to fulfill His promise!
We need to have Abraham’s kind of faith. We need to believe that God would do
whatever it takes to keep His promise to us!
During your time of trial, you need to find the word of God that is applicable to the
situation, read it over and over and continue speaking that word to the situation. You
should never underestimate the power of the tongue. James 1:5 says-the tongue is a
great member and boasts great things. Proverbs 18: 21 says that death and life are in
the power of the tongue.
The Word of God says you are to resist the devil in times of crises. James 4:7-8 states-
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. To resist the devil
means to refuse to give in to the devil and the circumstance. Don’t expect the devil to
turn and run immediately you start resisting him. The devil will resist the word of God by
raising false arguments in your heart. He will try to make you focus on the circumstance
rather than on the word of God. You must resist him by standing your ground. Many
Christians lose it here by giving up. I have been there many times too, But the word of
God says we should resist the devil. Stand your ground. The devil is the liar so he is the
one who should give up, not you! You will see in Genesis 3:2-3, that Eve actually
quoted the word of God to the serpent. But when the serpent misquoted the Word of
God to her, she did not resist. She believed his lie. The devil knows the word of God
and will always look for a way to confuse us. This is why we need to study, meditate
and memorize the word of God so that the devil cannot confuse us.
No matter how long the trial or the warfare between you and the devil lasts, you need to
keep resisting because according to Numbers 23”19, God is not a man, that he should
lie, Neither the son of man, that he should repent. The word of God is the truth. The
devil is the Liar!
Even when you feel you are gaining ground or that you have done all you are expected
to do, you must remain resolute. You must keep standing. This means you must
continue applying all the spiritual principles we have been discussing. You must not give
the devil a chance. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says: “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil,
your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to

devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. And Eph 6:13 says:
“Therefore take up the whole armour of God that you may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand. You must not waver from the truth of the word
of God! No matter what the circumstances say, you must insist that God has the last
say! Remember Hebrew 11 :17 . Abraham assumed that if Isaac died, God was able
to bring him back to life again”. No matter how bad the circumstances look, no matter
how dark the devil has painted the picture, God is able to bring life back into the
situation! This is the crux of the matter! The ability to stand.
How can a child of God acquire the ability to stand? Brethren this is not magic; neither is
it fast food. The only way is by dwelling in the presence of God, again studying His
word, staying intimate with Him before and when the storm breaks The ability to stand
requires maturity and maturity comes with commitment.
And when the problem is taking too long to go away, what do we do? Is it possible to
still praise Him, love Him, trust Him and serve Him?  The answer is yes. When you have
done all and you keep standing, something will happen. The Prince of Peace will give
you the peace of the mind that the world cannot understand in the midst of the storm
(Phil 4:7), He will give you a calmness that defies reasoning because of the faith you
have in Him.
In conclusion, before or when the waves come, our Lord and King desires us to dwell in
His presence. He created us for His pleasure, to worship Him and fellowship with Him.
No trial or temptation should ever make us lose sight of this fact. In fact he says to us in
1 Corinthians 10:14: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to
man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear
it”. Amen.