In Matthew 8:23-26 we read: “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
How is your little boat doing on the sea of life these days? In the midst of the storm across our world, the winds are fierce and the waves are high and water is in the boat. Are you sensing our Lord’s Presence with you in this storm? Or are you feeling like the disciples who believed they were perishing?
Have you been fearful? Has peace been alluding you? Jesus was not bothered by the storm – He was sleeping soundly. You say, ‘Well sure, He was God!’ Yes, He was God and being Sovereign and Transcendent, He knew they would be caught up in a vicious storm, BUT - He was also 100% human when in that boat and He knew that because He was with them, they would reach their destination.
Did you notice that HE got into the boat first and then the disciples followed? If your hearts have been fearful, then perhaps you have forgotten that He has gone before you and that where He is, there is safety and no need to fear.
How do we become assured of this? By getting to know Him better so we CAN trust Him, through the spending of time in the reading of His Word!! As the Holy Spirit reveals His heart, His mind, His LOVE to and for us, peace displaces fear and anxiety, bringing with it comfort, strength, courage and even joy as we face the high winds and waves, and the tossing of our little life boats, no matter how wild it gets.
If you aren’t experiencing His peace in the middle of this storm, what would be the reason? Are your eyes on the winds and waves and not fixed upon our Savior Who IS in this storm with us? Remember, He was in our ‘boat’ ahead of us before this storm arose.
We will eventually get to the other side, just as the disciples did. But if your heart is fearful today, consider asking the Holy Spirit to help you refocus on the One Who gives peace during storms. Remember, He is ALSO in control of the winds and waves and.... even in them, He is working out a Divine plan.
“Heavenly Father, you tell us in Isaiah 43:1-2, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
We recognize that within ourselves alone we have insufficient strength to weather this storm – BUT – You are not asking us to go it alone. YOU Yourself are with us – in fact – You had gone ahead of us just as Jesus had His disciples.
Please send Your Holy Spirit this very moment to settle down upon each and every heart that is anxious, troubled and fearful, replacing it with Your ‘perfect’ peace. Empower us to keep our focus upon our Savior, where it must stay if we desire to retain the peace that only You can give. And may the peace we experience be used by Your Holy Spirit to draw others to seek our Savior as theirs.
We also lift up the nations to You, asking that in and through this mighty storm, multitudes will have a personal encounter with You as they embrace Your Son, Jesus, as Savior. In the Mighty and All-Powerful Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”