Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26
Not much makes me feel more out of control than bad weather. Storms, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and monsoons remind us that we are not in control. Jesus’ disciples experienced this first-hand when they were caught in a storm while on a boat with Jesus. Jesus spoke into their fear and showed them that while they had no power over the weather, He certainly did.
Jesus was on a boat with His disciples when a “fierce storm” came (verse 24). The storm was so bad that water was coming into the boat. During all of this, Jesus was sleeping (verse 24). This was no ordinary storm, and the disciples feared for their lives. We know this because they ran to wake Jesus up and said, “Lord, save us! We are going to drown!” (verse 25). Jesus’ response to His disciples was fascinating. He said, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” (verse 26). Jesus was asking why they did not trust Him to protect them. After all, they had seen Him perform other miracles, so they knew His power. Jesus then “rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (verse 26). Jesus demonstrated His power over everything, even the weather.
My friend, Jesus does not just have power over physical storms. He has power over the individual storms that we face each and every day. He is in control and all-powerful. Now, He may not calm every storm exactly how you hope, but rest assured that He is working out everything according to His good will. Will you trust Him today?
Here at Sagebrush, we often say that we are either in a storm, have just gone through a storm, or are about to enter a storm. Which category do you find yourself in today? If you have just gone through a storm, write down at least three ways that God has taken care of you throughout the storm. If you are currently in a storm, spend a few minutes praying, asking God to help you through this storm, trusting that He will answer this prayer. If you are not in a storm, you will probably enter another storm soon. Take some time now to help someone else facing a storm. Reach out to them today and offer to help, whether that is taking a meal, giving encouragement, or something else. Remember, we serve a God who has power over all the storms in this life.
Matthew 8:23-27 (NLT)
"Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
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