And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26
I read a news report some time ago about the large numbers of people who throw things at their television set when they see something that angers or disturbs them. Many more people shout and verbally rail at their television when, for example, their favourite sports team is scored upon or does badly. What good does that do? There is nothing inside those machines that can feel, or hear, any of the abuse that goes their way. They are inanimate objects, incapable of responding to you and me. I sometimes shout in anger at the wind when it blows my hat off. But it makes no difference, the wind can’t hear me. But it can hear the Lord Jesus. And heed Him, too.
This was a dramatic scene as a small boat, probably not much bigger than a fishing dory, was caught in a raging storm on Galilee. Some of the boat’s occupants were seasoned fishermen, accustomed to the sea’s violence, but this storm had them unusually terrified. They came to the Lord Jesus to plead for Him to save their lives. He was asleep. He knew the storm could not harm them, He knew all would be well. But He did perform a miracle, and caused a great calm. Why did He rebuke the wind and the waves? Undoubtedly, this was a manifestation of Satan’s opposition. So Jesus challenged the devil’s power and the enemy became powerless.
Do life’s storms catch you in a fright sometimes? Do you feel the only way out is to cry to the Lord Jesus for help? For sure He is the right One to turn to. Only He has control over all the storms the devil would send your way to frighten and discourage you. He can bring about a great calm. But He can also do something better. Did you notice how He chided His disciples for their lack of faith? They should have known the storm would not overcome them. He had told them often how His mission was to go to Jerusalem and be put to death. He had told them He must be the Lamb of God who would bear our judgment on the cross. They should have realized all this, and simply hung on during the storm. Sometimes, God wants us to go through the storm, too. Sometimes we can learn more and accomplish more if we encounter and go through the trials and problems rather than being delivered from them.
Perhaps the Lord is calling you today to endure a great trial rather than to be delivered from it. He is teaching you how to hang on and trust Him. He is seeking to increase your faith. Trust Him today. -Jim MacIntosh