He who quiets the storm

He who quiets the storm

Scripture:

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.

The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27

Observation:

Having already reported the Lord’s dominion over demons, over disease, now Matthew shows us an incident where our Lord showed His complete power even over nature.

While on the lake of Galilee, a furious storm came and was so strong that even experienced fishermen like the disciples were frightened. Interestingly, the Lord was sleeping calmly in the midst of the storm, and his disciples had to wake him, screaming that they were going to drown. We should note too that though the disciples did not know how Jesus could save them, they looked to Him for their salvation from drowning.

Our Lord, in all calmness, questioned why they should be so afraid, and proceeded to rebuke the winds and the waves which obeyed Him and became calm. His disciples were so greatly amazed that they wondered if the Lord was really a man at all, that He should have authority over even the wind and the waves.

Application:

At one time or another, we too face our furious storms in life. Storms may come that are so furious that we think we are going to drown. Like the disciples, we need to cry out to our Lord Jesus “Lord, save us”. We may not know how God will deliver. That is His prerogative. Our part is to trust that He will deliver us, according to His power and His wisdom.

The model of our Lord Jesus addressing the winds and the waves is also applicable to us in our daily living. In Jesus name, we have the authority to speak to any mountain or obstacle before us “go throw yourself in the sea”, and it will do so. There are times when such problems may disappear immediately, while there are times, when it remains for a time. Our part is to carry on in faith in speaking to the problem with authority and belief to depart from us. As the Lord promised, in His name and in His power, we are destined to do even greater things than He did.

Prayer:

Praise thee, Heavenly Father, for You hold all things in Your hands. Every storm, every wave, every mountain is there by Your will and by Your power. Save us, O Lord, in the midst of mighty storms. We trust in You for salvation O Lord, according to Your wisdom, according to Your purpose. Let there be calmness and peace we pray, deep in our lives, no matter what happens, no matter what we face. We thank You, Lord, for the authority You give us, over winds and waves, over mountains and powers. Teach us, O Lord, to use this authority according to Your wisdom. Give us more of Your Holy Spirit O Lord, to guide us, and show us what we need to do. Bless You, Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, in Jesus name, Amen.