I have a friend who enjoys sailing. On one of his adventures at sea, he found himself amidst a storm. Listening to him describe the unpredictability of the wind and waves made me very thankful that I was not on board this boat. Picture an epic battle on the waterfront between man and nature. Huge hands of water slapping the sides of the boat while rain blinds the crew and thunder claps on the storm with encouragement. I can only imagine the terror that would swell up inside me, in sync perfectly with the swell of the waves.
The thought of that situation makes me shutter, let alone being in it. The disciples had a similar experience on the Sea of Galilee. Matthew 8:23-27 tells us "...there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves;". Jesus, asleep on the boat, awakes to panic stricken disciples. "Save us, Lord!" they scream against the noise of the storm.
"Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm."
What an incredible moment in time. Jesus Christ speaks to the wind and sea and they obey. That raging battle between waves and boat was stopped simply by the words of Christ. Jesus is able to command even the forces of nature. This passage explodes with the sovereignty of God. Sovereignty is the attribute of God by which he rules his entire creation. This power should stop us in our tracks when we recognize that this same power has the ability to be manifested in our own lives. This sovereignty should give us security and begs for complete trust in Him. The disciples, terrified by the storm, come to Jesus pleading with him to save them. Jesus says to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" I hear the Lord speaking those words to my own heart, O me of little faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
When fear begins to swell along with the waves of life, know that the God whom makes the wind and sea obedient also provides Jesus Christ, who is hope and an anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19). My prayer is that your faith would increase as you learn to trust the Lord with all your heart. And in knowing full well that this world will bring trials and storms, you would clinging to the promise that Jesus Christ has overcome the world and desires to make your paths straight. (John 16:33) -JG
"When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil."
-On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand
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