Today’s Devotional – He’s the Calm in My Storm

I heard it loud and clear. For the first time this year, I heard the crack of thunder, and saw the lightning that followed behind. We weren’t sure if we’d be getting another snow storm, or if it was finally warm enough to be rain. All we knew was that a big storm was coming, and 24 hours later that storm is still raging on.

There’s something about thunder and lightning that intimidates me. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good storm, but even so, the dark sky and the crash of thunder can be daunting at times.

As I sit here listening to the force of the rain beating against the house, I can’t help but wonder what it must have been like for the disciples, in the storm on the lake, so many years ago.

In Matthew Chapter 8, we read,

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Matthew 8:23-25, NIV)

Notice that it’s a furious storm. So terrible in fact, that the waves swept over the boat. Some of these men were fishermen. They were used to being out on the lake. No doubt, they were also used to dealing with bad weather, but this was above and beyond your average storm. Matthew describes it by using the words, “megas seismos.” It’s the same word used elsewhere in the Bible to describe an earthquake.

Thankfully, I’ve never been out on a lake during a terrible storm, but like everyone else I’ve had a few storms of my own. Furious storms that shook me up. Waves that swept over my life… And, here’s the thing: during some of those storms, it almost felt like Jesus was asleep in the boat.

Why is that? Because, even on the days when I was troubled and tense, He was always the calm in my storm.

He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:26, NIV)

You see, it’s not what you feel about Jesus during those moments of unrest, it’s what you know about Him that really counts.

And, what do we know about God? That He’s the creator of all things. That He’s Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. That He’s never far from the broken hearted. That the winds and the waves obey Him. That He holds the power of life and death. And, that this same faithful God is in control of all things even when He lets the storm rage.

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Tilling the Soil

Read Psalm 107

Planting Hope

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper;  the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:28-30, NIV)

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