May - Jesus Calms the Storm

Lyrics

When my heart is filled with fear

Like a stormy sky

Jesus says “be not afraid”

He is at my side

Chorus

There’s a rock where I can go

Keeps me safe and this I know

Deep within my troubled soul

Jesus calms the storm

When my thoughts are tossed and turned

Like a raging sea

I will listen to His voice

He will comfort me

Chorus

When I feel the shame of sin

Like a crashing wave 

My Redeemer rescues me

By His grace I’m saved

Chorus

He who rules the wind and waves

Soon will come again

Oh take courage little heart

Every storm will end

Chorus (x2)

Bible Memory Verse

(John 14:27, ESV)

‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’

Story Behind the Song

This hymn has just been finished this year - it’s brand new!

A couple of years ago Keith and I hosted a hymn-writer’s retreat in Northern Ireland. One afternoon after lunch several of us gathered in a little outdoor porch area we call ‘The Cove’. There is an old ship steering wheel and old maps on the walls and the ocean is not far away. An idea began that day for a children’s hymn inspired by the story in the New Testament of Jesus calming the storm and how we face our anxieties and fears. 

We worked on a simple lullaby shaped melody first. We knew at the end of each section we wanted to sing ‘Jesus calms the storm’. The lyrics took many more months to finish! We wanted to help explain some of the poetry of the Bible where God uses things He has made to help us understand His truth. 

We hoped the lyric would help give us confidence in God’s care for us whatever we may face. So many of us struggle with worry. Sandra McCracken, one of the writers, said ‘Life is full of storms, no matter if you’re 5 or 15 or 95.  When the rain and winds blow, we can anchor ourselves to Jesus our rock.  He’s the one who can hush the storms we face.  When we were writing this refrain, we wanted to sing a new melody that would help us to remember the timeless truth—that God is our steady anchor in any storm.’

Something to Think About

I loved growing up near the sea in Northern Ireland. Our four daughters were all born in Nashville but they love to go ‘home’ with us in the summer time… to play in the waves, build in the sand and climb on the rocks! Do you like to play by the sea too?

The Lord has created a beautiful world for us to live in. His creation is like a book telling us about Him and what He is like. Adam and Eve enjoyed this perfectly in the Garden of Eden. But sin broke this perfect world and all those cracks bring in fear and worry and trouble. The Lord uses parts of his creation to help explain to us His love and care of us in these struggles.

In this hymn we use the picture of a stormy sea to explain what our hearts often feel or our minds often think. And just like we stay safe on a big rock when the waves are all crashing around Jesus is our rock.

What does it mean that Jesus is our rock? He is the one steady place for us to put all our trust. The greatest struggle we have is against sin and death. At the cross he fixed both those things. We can know rest and forgiveness and hope in Him. Our souls are safe in Him forever. 

We do not know what each day may bring. But we do know that He is with us always. His promises never change. Even if it’s stormy all around us Jesus calms the storm. We do not need to be afraid. We have His peace inside and know that He is the ruler of all the earth.

Prayer

‘Hear my cry, O God,

    listen to my prayer;

from the end of the earth I call to you

    when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock

    that is higher than I,

for you have been my refuge,

    a strong tower against the enemy.’

In Jesus name, my Rock and my Redeemer,

Amen

(Psalm 61)