When You Need to Know Jesus Can Calm the Storm
Inside: We come to God fretting and anxious and wondering what in the world is He doing, because He sure seems to be sleeping on the job. Can He not tell that we need help? When you need to know Jesus can calm the storm.
Why was Jesus sleeping through the storm? Why was He not flinching at every crack of lightning? Why was He not anxious about the waves that were tossing and turning the boat?
Matthew 8:23-27 (ESV)
Jesus Calms a Storm
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” 26 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. 27 And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
Digging into God’s Word: Jesus Can Calm the Storm
This is a favorite account of many Bible readers. You might have memories of Sunday school pictures of Jesus asleep in the stern while the disciples frantically worked to save the boat. I would like to look at this account from perhaps a different angle: Why was Jesus sleeping through the storm? Why was He not flinching at every crack of lightning? Why was He not anxious about the waves that were tossing and turning the boat?
From the disciples’ point of view, they were in great peril. The storm was strong, the wind fierce, the waves overpowering. They feared death.
How could Jesus dare to sleep through this storm? Did He not care? Could He not wake up and help them in some way?
It is interesting that the disciples first asked Jesus to save them and then were surprised that He did! Perhaps they expected Him to help row them to shore with super-human strength. Instead, He did the more difficult, unexpected, miraculous thing: He commanded the wind and the sea to be calm. And they obeyed!
Do we not also need to know this about Jesus–that He can calm a storm in a miraculous, unexpected way?
We come to Him fretting and anxious and wondering what in the world is He doing, because He sure seems to be sleeping on the job. Can He not tell that we need help? He needs to solve this problem or resolve this conflict now! He needs to give us a new job, make our child obey, or fix that person who is so troublesome to us.
“O you of little faith,” He says to us. “Don’t you know that I have it covered? I am working in a more miraculous way than you can ever imagine. Tell me yourtrouble, ask me to save you, and watch me work. Don’t be surprised if I do it in a way you would least expect!”
When we put our trust in Jesus, we put our trust in Someone who has authority over the storms in our lives. He is not surprised by them or swayed by them. His very Word is stronger than the storm.
Digging Deeper: Jesus Can Calm the Storm
Reflect on these questions. If you have time, journal your answers.
- What did you learn about Jesus in this passage, or what were you reminded of, that helps you today?
- If Jesus has authority over the wind and the waves, surely He can transform the situations and storms in our lives. What storm would you like to give to Him today? Talk with Him about it, and ask Him to work His will and His way in it.
- What are you thankful for today? In the midst of life’s gale-force winds, it is helpful to look around for the ways in which God is blessing us. What good things do you see today?
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~ James 1:17 (ESV)
Did you miss any devotions? You can find all of the devotions in the current series here: Getting to Know Jesus.
I am learning the spiritual discipline of How to Praise God in the Storm. Read the blog post to find out how this practice can help you during life’s toughest times.
