In Luke 8:22-25 it says, "One day Jesus said to His disciples, "Let us go over the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown." He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Where is your faith? he asked his disciples.. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this?" He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Have you ever felt like your boat is too small for the storms in your life? Perhaps you ventured into an area that you thought you could handle, but the storm that came up overwhelmed what could keep you afloat. You will notice that Jesus first of all didn't quibble over "which" boat they should get when they needed to go over to the other side of the lake. He also fell asleep without a worry in the world. Even when the squall came up they had to awaken him to help them. Squall - A sudden, violent gust of wind or localized storm, especially one bring rain. Scripture said they were in great danger. Not, they thought they were in great danger. The danger was real and Jesus got up and rebuked the wind that was powering the squall and it subsided or calmed. If you are going through storms in your life, they are real to you. They may also be very dangerous for your life and you know the end result will be bad. The storms of life are going to come and they will be like a squall. They will come at you suddenly and with great ferocity. So we have established there will be storms. Now we come to the point where you realize "who you gonna call" (ala ghost busters) The disciples didn't have to think about it. They called out to Jesus and woke him up because they knew they needed him desperately. When Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, that wind and those waves obeyed and they calmed down and the disciples were safe. They needed help and called on Jesus and when he did show his power they were amazed!! Jesus not only calms the storms in our lives, but He goes even further to show He is in control. This is a very affirming event to read about and I am sure an affirming event for them to experience, but it is proof positive that Jesus is in control of every situation and his great power is real and right on time. Publus Syrus said in 42 B.C. " Any one can hold the helm when the sea is calm." Jesus takes the rough seas of our lives and calms them so we can handle these situations with His power. If you are going through some stormy weather right now and it came up out of no where, wake up your prayer life, call out to Jesus, and He will calm those storms for you.
One other thing Jesus did that day on the lake. He asked them "Where is your faith?" For those who have a relationship with Jesus, we realize that our faith is not in what we have faith we have in, but it is who we are in Christ. Paul wrote in Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." The storms of life only cause us to draw closer to God, because we know He is the essence of who we are and it changes how we perceive those waves that come upon us so violently. Our storms are handled through the power of Jesus, once and forever, because of what He did on the cross to justify our faith. Are you amazed by what Jesus did for you on the cross? Maybe you need to have a "come to Jesus" meeting and turn to Him for all your daily strength and decisions and let the faith you have in Him energize and guide your life. Then your boat will be able to handle any storm in any situation. Now...that is good news!!! If we can't handle the storms of life, how will we ever be able to walk on the water? Only holding on to Jesus' hand and Him empowering and guiding us. When you are in a great storm, "Who you gonna call?" I'm calling out to Jesus!!
The Pilgrimage continues...
David Warren
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