Music of the Storm
Difficulties can lead to greater blessings and growth if we overcome them with faith and perseverance.
Charles E. Cowman preaches about how God uses difficulties and challenges in our lives to bring out beautiful music, just like a tempest that finally made the Aeolian harp produce enchanting strains. He emphasizes that sometimes it takes storms and trials to reveal the true strength and power within us, much like how flowers bloom after a rain. Cowman encourages the congregation to trust in God's promise that the 'afterward' of overcoming difficulties will be far richer and more beautiful than the initial struggle.
Text
"Nevertheless afterward" (Heb. 12:11).
There is a legend that tells of a German baron who, at his castle on the Rhine, stretched wires from tower to tower, that the winds might convert them into an Aeolian harp. And the soft breezes played about the castle, but no music was born.
But one night there arose a great tempest, and hill and castle were smitten by the fury of the mighty winds. The baron went to the threshold to look out upon the terror of the storm, and the Aeolian harp was filling the air with strains that rang out even above the clamor of the tempest. It needed the tempest to bring out the music!
And have we not known men whose lives have not given out any entrancing music in the day of a calm prosperity, but who, when the tempest drove against them have astonished their fellows by the power and strength of their music?
"Rain, rain
Beating against the pane!
How endlessly it pours
Out of doors
From the blackened sky
I wonder why!
"Flowers, flowers,
Upspringing after showers,
Blossoming fresh and fair,
Everywhere!
Ah, God has explained
Why it rained!"
You can always count on God to make the "afterward" of difficulties, if rightly overcome, a thousand times richer and fairer than the forward. "No chastening . . . seemeth joyous, nevertheless afterward . . ." What a yield!
Sermon Outline
- The Music of the Storm
- Music Born in the Storm
- The Power of Adversity
- God's Purpose in Trials
Key Quotes
“You can always count on God to make the 'afterward' of difficulties, if rightly overcome, a thousand times richer and fairer than the forward.” — Charles E. Cowman
“No chastening . . . seemeth joyous, nevertheless afterward . . . What a yield!” — Charles E. Cowman
“Rain, rain Beating against the pane! How endlessly it pours Out of doors From the blackened sky I wonder why!” — Charles E. Cowman
Application Points
- We can trust that God will make the 'afterward' of our difficulties richer and fairer than the present.
- We should have faith and perseverance in the midst of trials, knowing that God is working for our good.
- Our difficulties can be transformed into opportunities for growth and beauty, just like flowers blooming after showers.