“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, 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, NIV
In the aftermath of one of the most pivotal elections in our lifetime, many are filled with fear, dread, and anxiety over the impending storm. We’ve seen storms like this before.
storm: a violent disturbance of the atmosphere; a tumultuous reaction; an uproar or controversy (Oxford Dictionary)
Here in the South, we know how deadly and destructive a storm can be. While we do need to pay attention to what is going on in the world, we don’t have to live in fear and anxiety.
Even the Winds and Waves Obey Him
When the disciples woke Jesus, they didn’t even understand the depth of who He really was. They wanted Him to save them, but their lack of faith showed they didn’t really believe He had the power to do so, as evidenced by their question: “What kind of man is this?” or as Mark testified: “Who is this?” (Mark 4:41).
These accounts come early in the Gospels, so it’s very likely these disciples hadn’t been following Jesus for very long. They knew who He was, but did they really KNOW who He was?
I think many people are in the same situation today. We live in the Bible Belt here in the South. Most people know who Jesus is, but do they really KNOW Him? As we go through the next days and weeks together here in America, we have an opportunity to show who Jesus really is.
He is in control.
“O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the raging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.”
Psalm 89:8-9
We serve a God who is in complete control. He rules over the sea. Nothing happens that doesn’t first pass through His fingers. If He allows it, He can use it; and we can trust Him in the storm.
Even if we look at the life of Job and all that he suffered, God spoke to him out of a storm (Job 38:1) and showed Job His glory. Whatever God allows, we can trust Him to speak to us and lead us in the way that is best. Job later said,
“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”
Job 42:4
Much like the disciples in the boat, the storm led to a greater revelation of all that Jesus is.
He is our refuge.
“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy, Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”
Psalm 5:11
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”
Psalm 91:1-2
These promises are for those who have put their trust in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can find out how here.
The disciples had to experience a storm to see the truth of who God really is. Don’t wait for the storm to come to cry out to Jesus in your fear. Surrender to Him now and let Him hold you in the storm.
He is our peace.
“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven” (Psalm 107:29-30).
Psalm 107:29-30
“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”
Mark 4:39
Jesus has the power to speak peace to the storm that rages both within and without. Only Jesus can calm your spirit and replace your anxiety with His peace.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
Psalm 46:1-5
That river is the Holy Spirit within us. He has the ability to calm us, make us glad, and keep us from falling apart.
If you are anxious about the future of our nation, remember that Jesus is in control. He is our refuge and He is our peace. If you are like the disciples, wondering, “Who is this man?” now is a good time for you to find out. Surrender your life to the Prince of Peace and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
We will have many opportunities in the days and weeks ahead to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors. Let’s keep our eyes on Him, walk by faith and not fear, and allow God to use even a stormy situation to bring glory to His name.