Day 11
“He Himself was asleep”
Matthew 8:24b
Most of the disciples were experienced and skilled fishermen. A journey by boat across the lake was routine, but in this case a fierce storm hit the lake, causing the boat to be swamped and putting it in danger of sinking. Make no mistake about it, this storm was sudden, violent, and life threatening. It was literally causing a sea quake. It was the equivalent of a hurricane. Jesus was in the boat, sound asleep, even during the raging storm.
This reflects what often happens to us. Unexpected storms occur in our life. They can create life-threatening havoc. We have similar reactions as the disciples; we attempt to control the storm, but when it overwhelms us our hearts fail. We then are filled with fear and even anger. We think that God is asleep, and remote from our trouble. We fear He doesn’t care about our situation. We want to know where He is.
But, God is where He always is – right in the boat with us! Asleep or not, He has sovereign control over all things, even the storms that rise up in our lives. We may be frustrated, angry and in fear. We may not see His hand in the situation. We may fall into a resentful, “You don’t care” attitude. But, these disciples didn’t know Him yet. When He awoke, He quieted the storm; demonstrating His sovereignty, for He does care about us.
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still,
so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then
they were glad because they were quiet; so
He guided them to their desired haven”
Psalm 107:28-30