It was early spring and the ice on Lake Michigan had thawed. After a long, cold winter, a few of us hardy anglers were eager to fish again. As we hit the water, the skies were sunny and the massive lake was calm. Conditions were ideal, but not for long. Shortly after setting our lines, the wind kicked up. It didn’t take long for it to start getting uncomfortably “nautical.” Before the waves could build to dangerous heights, we reluctantly pulled in our lines, fired up the boat engine, and motored back toward the quiet harbor waters.
Just like Michigan’s Great Lakes, the Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden and violent storms. One evening, Jesus suggested that He and His small band of followers cross over the large inland lake by boat (Luke 8:22). As they made their way across, a strong storm moved in. So fierce were the waves that it threatened to sink their vessel.
The disciples were understandably scared. They thought they were going to drown. But not Jesus—He was snoozing in the back of the boat (Luke 8:23). After the disciples finally awoke Him, Jesus stood up (maybe even stretched a bit) and ordered the wind and the waves to calm down, and they did (Luke 8:24).
Shocked, the disciples didn’t know what to fear more—Jesus or the storm. “Who is this man?” they wondered out loud. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:25). Centuries earlier, the psalmist asked, “Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O LORD? . . . You rule the oceans. You subdue the storm-tossed waves” (Psalm 89:8-9).
May God’s power and authority—two things that amazed the disciples and inspired an ancient poet—reassure us when life starts to get “nautical.” He’s greater than anything we’ll face.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 28:15-31
More:
Read Psalm 65:7 and Psalm 107:28-29 and see more descriptions showing that the Lord is our powerful and wave-calming God.
Next:
How does it encourage you to know that Jesus is Lord over everything? What troubling concern do you need to bring to Him today?
Gary Shultz on November 19, 2015 at 7:16 am
A storm on the water can be a white knuckle experience. Jesus was not only calming storms, but building men. I sometimes “zoom out” and think of where I am at geographically and all I can see, if it was plotted on a world map a pin point would probably more than cover that spot. What is massive in my world is but a small dot of what God designed, created, and watches over. Then you really up the game and figure “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” it’s all His and he made it. Now that is a God with no knowledge or power limits. I’m sure this is no secret to you. I stand back and say, how can this be, puzzled with my lack of comprehension and reassured of His reality. Happy Thanksgiving
marylouise on November 19, 2015 at 7:47 am
Jesus is the only One who can calm the storms of life. My storms He always calm!!!!
Tom Felten on November 19, 2015 at 8:54 am
In light of recent world events, it’s so good to remember God’s sovereignty and His presence. Thanks for sharing this calming article, Jeff!