Scripture Reading: Luke 8:22-56; SOAP / Luke 8:25

Ok, so I’m not crazy about being on a boat and I definitely do not like the wind, and a windstorm quite honestly freaks me out a little. So don’t ask me what I would do in the situation the disciples find themselves in when Jesus suggested going to the other side of the lake and a “violent windstorm came down on the lake.” To make it worse “the boat started filling up with water and they were in danger.” I would love to say that I would have been the calm one, but I have learned from experience – ok, not on a lake but in my house; Yes, I realize that’s much safer than the situation the disciples were in – but I’m just sayin’, I would have been the first shaking Jesus awake, saying “Master, Master we are about to die!” Actually my cry typically comes from the words of a treasured hymn … “mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry – Keep me safe till the storm passes by…”. I would also be the first to tell you that He has the power to calm them because I’ve seen Him do it many times over. Even sweeter, is how He speaks over me and calms the storm of fear within my mind and heart. As I call out to Him, I hear this sweet refrain, “Peace, Peace wonderful peace coming down from the Father above – sweep over my spirit forever I pray in fathomless billows of love.”

In the dark of the midnight have I oft hid my face
While the storm howls above me, and there’s no hiding place
‘Mid the crash of the thunder, Precious Lord, hear my cry
Keep me safe till the storm passes by

Till the Storm Passes By

Whether it’s a true windstorm or a storm of life peace hasn’t always come easy for me. Fear was my nemesis for years and, left unchecked, it can still sneak up on me – but through the years He has trained me to look to Him. I have often heard Him whisper this very verse, making it personal as He did with them – “Where is your faith, MaryEllen, why are you shaken?” and others to follow, like Isa 41:10, “Do not be afraid for I am with you, do not be discouraged for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” The actual windstorms are usually accompanied by the words of Isa. 26:3, “I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in me, all whose thoughts are fixed on me.” I love to picture Him rebuking the wind and rains as He did for the disciples, and I can see their shocked faces as the noise and the rocking of the boat began to cease and they knew they were safe. I also know what it is like to feel that same safe feeling when the wind and rains still blow – because I know the One who controls them with the command of His voice. Though, I will tell you – while I may not say “who then is this?”, as the disciples did, His power to do so never ceases to amaze me and cause me to say or to remember – “He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!”

It is worth noting that first Jesus spoke to the wind and waves and then to the disciples about their faith. He questions them on their faith, not simply because they were unnerved by the storm but because fear had consumed them. Second, it is worth repeating a similar question I asked in a previous post – Who do you say [Jesus] is and do you believe He can command “even” the winds and water?” I also love the awe and amazement that seemed to render them speechless. I find it encouraging that, like me, the disciples were continually seeing and learning who Jesus really was and what He could do.

May we all be encouraged to run to Jesus when the “storms” arise and rage. May we, exercise our faith and speak the words of Jesus over the storms that rage within and around us …and may we watch in awe and amazement at what He can and will do.

Father, Jesus, Spirit – I stand amazed at scenes like this – being reminded that even the winds and waves obey the Master. How often have I cried out to You just like this and stood speechless as the elements or struggles around me ceased? Perhaps, sweeter still, when the elements didn’t cease but the fears within subsided! Thank You for letting me – inviting me, even – to run to You – and for teaching me, in the midst of every “storm”, to trust You more and for deepening and strengthening the roots of my Faith through it all!