All hell was breaking loose on the Sea of Galilee — But Jesus was fast asleep in the stern of the boat.
The waves grew higher and higher, the wind blew harder and harder….and the ship was being tossed about like a toy—-yet this Man slept on.
Meanwhile the disciples were panicking trying with all their skill and knowledge to keep the boat from tipping. At the very end of their strength they finally have a good idea–“Why don’t we ask the Lord to help us!” They turn to find him asleep, probably lying on the soft fishing nets they would have kept at the stern.
Mat 8:23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him.
Mat 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Mat 8:25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
Mat 8:26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Mat 8:27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Here’s a question: How in heaven’s name could Jesus sleep while a storm was threatening them all?
He absolutely trusted His heavenly Father that no matter what the situation He was with Him. Whether awake or asleep God was with Him.
Now I could pull a bunch of verses to prove that. That is good, but I would only be convincing your head. Again that is a good place to start.
But the thing is the disciples had all the verses on trusting in God right there with them in the boat—They had Jesus the WORD made flesh. So what happened to their faith? Why would they be so afraid?
They had done what we all do when the storm is raging about us….they listened to the sound of the raging winds….they looked and saw the towering waves….they saw the total uselessness of their own efforts to save themselves and they grew discouraged and became terrified. Their senses and their minds were telling them loudly We are cooked! We are lost! We are doomed!
Yet Jesus a man like them, was able to sleep in the storm.
The storm revealed that they had a head knowledge faith and not yet a heart knowledge of Jesus with them. That is okay…that is the normal way we all take.
And so even though I know that God is with us in the storm…I confess a lot of what I know is not a deep heart knowledge….and when the storm begins to approach I look at it and see how big it is, or is appearing to be. It threatens to block out all view of Jesus in my heart the more I look at it. The Lord for His part reveals to me from His word that He is able to protect us in the storm–in the very midst of it….and so I write those things for others.
But I also fall for the temptation to write about the coming storm….and so I sow fear into the hearts and minds of those who read it.
Dear__________
Carmel just told me after we went to bed that you called asking about the kids and school.
First of all, please forgive me for sowing fear into your heart with what I wrote on the blog. Our big daddy God is carrying us and hides us under His wing, including our children. The enemy hates us that is true…BUT God’s love and protection are assured to us–He promises to protect us EVEN IN THE STORM.
I know this….and I have written about it to encourage myself and others…..but like Peter did, I start to look at the winds and the waves and take my eyes off Jesus and His promises. So all my writing about the Good things God will do for us evaporates away and fear comes as I write about the winds and the storm approaching. I am so sorry for that! You need to know that even at School and anywhere else God has your wonderful children covered under His feathers–Psalm 91. We cannot hide away from everything and there is no need to. Because everywhere we go we have Him with us…and so do they because of your faith….or to say it another way, because Jesus is with you…then He is with them too.
I have deleted those posts. They may be true as far as what the enemy wants to do….BUT GOD is bigger and able to protect His children.
So sorry again. I need help to keep in faith, that is where we thrive.
Storms do come. But the Lord is with us in the storm.
With our eyes we can see the storm–but we can’t see Jesus with those same eyes.
Jesus said “When you see all these things happening Lift up your eyes for your redemption draws near.”
Lifting up your eyes means see with FAITH the real situation–see from God’s perspective….from His vantage point High above the storm.
You are with Jesus and Jesus is with you.
Isa 43:1 Israel, the LORD who created you says, “Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine.
Isa 43:2 When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.
Isa 43:3 For I am the LORD your God, the holy God of Israel, who saves you. I will give up Egypt to set you free; I will give up Ethiopia and Seba.
Isa 43:4 I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honour.
Isa 43:5 Do not be afraid—I am with you! “From the distant east and the farthest west I will bring your people home. [Good News Bible]
