Passage: Matthew 8:23-27
Points:
1. Jesus reveals calm in the midst of a storm.
2. Fear is a sign of a lack of faith.
3. Jesus has command over the wind and waves.
Personalize
Recently our family had the opportunity to visit a resort on the north part of the island. It was a windy day and the waves were larger than usual. There is a tremendous amount of power in a wave. As we washed the waves crash against the shoreline, we were amazed at the amount of power being demonstrated. In the night the crashing waves can be a frightening sound, especially when you are on a boat.
The natural reaction to a storm, while on a boat would be fear. After Jesus is awakened from his sleep, he tells his disciples they were demonstrating a lack of faith. Fear reveals our lack of trust during stressful and difficult situations. Do we truly believe Jesus is able to calm the storms? He does have power over the wind and waves. Where does our trust lie? When circumstances are out of our control and we are helplessly drifting, what will be our reaction?
In the midst of life’s storms, may our response be of faith and not fear. When fear arises, let us turn quickly to our source of strength and peace. The boat of life may toss back and forth, but we can have a peace in the midst of the storm knowing Jesus is in our boat.
Prayer
May our response to life’s storms be of faith and not fear. When our eyes are focused on the storms and we allow fear to control us, remind us You are able to calm the storms and bring peace in every situation. Lord, we place our full confidence in You and You alone.
This reminded me of a study I did with the teens at a previous church about 2 years ago. It was titled, “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat!”
Faith sounds so easy, but can be very hard. Trust that it will all go well through the storms — that’s one level of faith…then get out of the boat during the storm — that’s a whole new level of faith.
For me, I struggle with finding the faith to know that He has a plan for my life, even when He’s not willing to share it with me…