“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” Matthew 8:23-26, NIV
I’ve lost count of the times I’ve feared for my life upon the ocean over the years. I went through storms that tossed my boat like a cork on the waves. In those moments sleep was far from my mind, as I, like the disciples, was gripped with fear.
I remember one time in particular, while navigating through some rough water, when a large wave nearly knocked me over the side. If it weren’t for the grace of God, I would have perished that day.
So you can imagine that when I read this passage of Jesus sleeping in the midst of the storm, I’m amazed! Then, when He rebukes the seasoned fisherman for having such little faith, and turns and speaks to the waves, and they obey Him, I’m in awe, as the disciples were.
Do we understand the significance of the fact that we have Jesus in the boat with us as we go through the storms of life? When the storms of life hit, I think most of us react to the circumstances by reverting to the behaviour cycles which we’re familiar with. What is it that we cling to when we’re tossed about in the storm?
In the storms of my life, I want to remember that Jesus is in the boat with me, and He’s undaunted by the severity of the storm. I want to allow the truth of His words to fill me with peace – words like ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.
(Adopted from Seeds of the Kingdom, a daily devotional by Ellel Ministries International)