He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
(Mark 4:40 NIV)
A siren-like alarm was sounding in a nearby room of our home. I wasn’t exactly sure what it was, and then it occurred to me that it might be the NOAA weather radio which had not activated for some time. The alarm stopped and was followed by the message that there would be a severe thunderstorm warning for the county in which we live, to be in effect for the upcoming hour. The alert continued to caution of heavy downpours and lightning including wind gusts up to 60 mph with quarter size hail, capable of causing damage to trees, vehicles, roofing and siding. I remember thinking to myself that I was glad I was at home with a basement to go to if necessary. Imagine being outside in this kind of storm with nowhere to take cover! But I knew by the bulletin that there would be an approximate beginning and ending time, giving assurance that this storm would soon pass.
When the disciples went out on a lake with Jesus, they no doubt had a very different feeling. “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped” (Mark 4:37 NIV). Scripture tells us that Jesus was sleeping. So, “The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25-26 NLT). Although the text doesn’t say which apostles were with Christ on the boat, it’s probable that seasoned fishermen were aboard who would have been quite familiar with the ways of the sea. Yet, they were frightened, and apparently thought He would be able to do something. Even when Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples gave every indication that they still weren’t yet convinced He was God in the flesh. For they asked each other, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:25 NIV).
The imagery behind the story of Jesus calming the storm should bring great encouragement and hope for anyone facing any storm in life. But first, one must take stock of who they have in the boat with them. Frequently we will find names like despair, hopelessness, worry, uncertainty, depression, stressfulness, discontent, exhaustion, and disillusionment to be among those who take these troublesome journeys with us. We know of God and may, like the disciples, have a relationship with His Son Jesus. But just like those followers who were caught with Him in the storm, we cannot rely on the emotions of doubt. We must come to trust not only in the power but also in the presence of the One who can bring true peace to the unsettled circumstances around us. If Jesus was able to save the disciples, He will also rescue us from the unsettling disorders of life. For He is with us and will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5). If He can still the turbulence of the sea with one word, He can calm our everyday upheavals as well. It is when we understand the ‘here and now of God’s presence’ that our storms will be perfected.
REFLECTION: What are the emotional factors that keep you from fully trusting God when you are facing various trials? Are you able to see Him as not only the God of power but also the God of presence? If you are unable to constantly sense His presence, what do you need to change in your life for this to happen?
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