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“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 8:26,27

Yesterday we talked about how having Jesus in the boat of your life enables you to nap in the midst of a storm. Today, we’re going to pick up the story of the disciples right at the moment they go to their Master to wake Him up. As they’re freaking out and crying because they fear they’re going to die, Jesus calmly wakes from His nap and calls them “little faiths.” I believe this is like His prodding name for them because they’re behaving like frightened kids who obviously don’t yet realize the magnitude of who He is. To prove to them that He is God, He rebukes the wind and waves, then, I like to think He goes right back to sleep (although this is not in the text). By the time He calmed the storm, it should have finally occurred to the disciples that a boat with Jesus in it is simply not going to sink!

Contrary to what many think, when you do life with Jesus, your circumstances will often seem more dangerous, chaotic and difficult than they’ve ever been, especially when you first come to faith. This is because the devil doesn’t like your new life in Christ and he’s going to do whatever he can to attack you spiritually. You may have storms swirling around you, and hell bubbling under you, but no matter how dark it gets, if you are in the boat with Jesus, you can curl up and take a nap next to Him; you can relax.

Friend, every storm will pass. Every bout of bad weather will eventually end and you will come out on the other side, stronger and tougher than you’ve ever been. Moreover, you will be more Christlike, compassionate and kind for having endured the tempest. Because you sat with Jesus and allowed Him to rebuke the wind and the waves, you will have a depth of wisdom that fortifies your heart, prepares you for the next storm and empowers you to encourage others as they endure their own trials. Isn’t that wonderful news?

Prayer


I praise you, Jesus, for calming the wind and waves in my life and for allowing me to take a nap with you in the boat. I choose to trust you no matter how dark things look.

Reflection


What does it mean to you to have Jesus in your boat? How has it changed the way you endure trials?

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