Scripture:
Vs 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat …
Vs 38 … And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
Vs 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Vs 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”
Vs 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Observation:
The apostles were afraid when the storm came.
They accused Jesus of not caring.
Jesus rebuked the storm.
The result was “great calm” in the seas.
Jesus rebuked the apostles for their lack of faith.
The result was “great fear” among the apostles.
Application:
This is a fascinating experience of the apostles.
Their “emotional” status didn’t change. It just shifted.
They were fearful during the storm and still fearful after the storm.
They thought it was their circumstances creating their fear.
Worse, they blamed Jesus for the circumstances they were in!
Yet, when their circumstances changed for the better, the apostles still were fearful.
But now they feared the One they blamed.
What stands out to me is the striking difference between “great calm” of the seas after hearing Jesus and the “great fear” of the apostles after hearing Jesus.
So often I want the circumstances I find myself in to change.
I think this is what will change my personal state, emotionally, financially, relationally, professionally …
It’s easy to think, “If God would just Do Something, then everything would be ok!”
This is simply wrong. God is always at work if I have eyes to see and ears to hear.
And even if I do, I may just shift my fear or anxiety or frustration.
I must not clamor for God to change my circumstances.
I must ask God to change me in the midst of my circumstances.
What does this take? FAITH!
Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples was regarding their lack of faith.
When I don’t have my Faith in who Jesus is, I can allow the quality of my circumstances to affect my thinking of who Jesus is! … “Do You not care that I am perishing?”
I must understand that not only does Jesus care, but He is in control of the very circumstances I may be fearing.
I must want my circumstances to change me more than I want to change my circumstances.
There will always be storms.
Will I always be faithful?
Prayer:
Thank you God for your word
Help me live faithfully to who you are and what it says
Thank you for your forgiveness when I lack faith
Help me Holy Spirit to see you at work in circumstances I want changed
In Jesus name
Amen