Matthew 8:23-27a: “As He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But He was sleeping. So the disciples came and woke Him up saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea. And there was a great calm. The men were amazed . . .”
This particular passage of scripture reminds me that my trials in life come without warning just as the storm came up suddenly for the disciples in the boat with Jesus. Why am I surprised when a new ache in my heart strikes and yet I know Peter warns us in 1 Peter 4:12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes up to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” My response to being swamped in turmoil sometimes goes like this: Really? Why is this happening again? Didn’t we already go through this lesson in the past and wasn’t it enough? Instead of: OK God, You are Jehovah Jireh! You will provide the solution as we go through this together! But I am working on it.
The disciples had Jesus with them in their boat that was being tossed up and down in this storm on the sea. They had just witnessed many miracles Jesus had done such as He cleansed a leper, healed the Centurion’s servant, and healed Peter’s mother-in-law.
I am no different than the disciples. God has answered all sizes of trials in my life and He has amazed me too in the past.
The disciples were trained and experienced sailors. They recognized they could all drown and this was out of their control. They couldn’t make this treacherous event of nature stop. They were naturally afraid. Who wouldn’t be? But they didn’t remember that God had created the wind and the sea and He could control His creation and did!
Jehova Nissi, one of the OT names for God, means – battle fighter. Therefore that means God will provide justice, protection, and provide the right legal solution for every wrong.
If you are feeling fearful right now at the beginning of a hard circumstance that is out of your control, rest your head on your pillow tonight. Know that if God can create all the stars in the galaxy, pump 3000 gallons of blood per day through your body, and gave you a human brain that has 10 billion nerve cells interacting in coordination to allow you to function as you do, God is in control of the outcome of your troubled heart.
Hold onto your hope. Tell God exactly how you feel in the storm, and as Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 17:20b: “. . .if you have faith, as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Questions:
- What is in your boat today? Cast all your anxiety on God (1 Peter 5:7). He cares for you.
- Why is our memory of passed answers to prayers often shortsighted when a new and different crisis hits?
- Have you noticed your faith may be lacking when you are lacking sleep and not eating healthy?
My Prayer today: God, you are my stronghold. I praise you forever and ever for your magnificent power, grace, goodness, mercy, love, and constant presence. You are my refuge. Speak to me the truth found in your Word and help me then to reflect your image of peace in my heart and mind. Any success or failure is under your providence. In the ordinary concerns of life I direct them all up to you. I lift up my voice in joyous praise because I am assured you will direct my steps and light my path one day at a time. In Jesus name Amen.