Bro. Eddie Ministries Reading Plan: The Word Gives HopeHalimbawa

When caught in storm

People would always want their lives to be safe and secure. But it does not happen in real life. And often, God would take away from us those things that we depend on. He does it because He wants us to trust that He can and will help us when life seems uncertain for us.

On board a ship, Jesus bade His disciples to cross the other side of the lake with Him after a day’s ministry. The lake, which is known as Sea of Galilee, is 680 feet below, 150 feet deep, and surrounded by hills. The Bible scholars claim that the physical features of this lake often lead to sudden windstorms that cause extremely high waves that sometimes reach 20 feet.

While they were sailing on, a furious storm came and threatened to wreck their ship. The waves were gigantic. And the threat to their life was so real. But what frightened them most was the sight that Jesus their Lord was just sleeping at the back of the boat.

They wakened Him up, shouting, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace be still!” And there was a great calm.

He asked them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:38-40)

We, too, often face all sorts of storms in life. And we also feel tossed by the waves like what happens to a small boat in the sea. Then we come to see how weak we are. And we cry in despair.

The disciples had witnessed Jesus’ power when He was with them. But there were times that they just took it lightly. They doubted if He could work in situations like the coming of a fierce storm.

There is no reason why God cannot display His power. He is not in a deep sleep just like what the disciples thought of Jesus. For when He slept in the midst of a storm, it does not mean that He did not care. Rather it tells us that there is no power on earth that could be above His. It tells us that nothing can shake Him. That He is in control.

When we are caught in the storms of life, it is easy to think that God has lost control. That He could not help us at all. God is sovereign. If we will put our faith in Him, we will see His hands at work behind everything that happens in our lives.

Jesus’ words to His disciples after He calmed the storm imply that He was hurt. They had seen many times the miracles Jesus did yet these did not help to make them believe Him. Not until He died and rose again. Only then they were convinced that Jesus indeed is God and worth trusting.

Reflection:
1. Jesus was sleeping in the boat when a fierce storm hit, which caused His disciples to be terrified. How did you view Jesus here the first time you read it?
2. Was there a time that you blamed God for not helping you at once in the trials you faced? Why? What lessons did you learn from it?

Life’s “storms” give us the chance to know that God works miracles.