WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?
Opening Prayer
For the countless ways you prove your faithfulness to me, Lord God, thank you.
Read LUKE 8:22-25
Jesus Calms the Storm
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
‘Calm me, Lord, as you calmed the storm. / Still me, Lord, keep me from harm. / Let all the tumult within me cease. / Enfold me, Lord, in your peace.’1
Think Further
Have you ever felt like you were going to drown? That is the disciples’ fear. They are looking at the gale that is swamping their boat and they cry out, ‘We’re going to drown!’ (v 24). The Sea of Galilee on which they are sailing is a large lake which is certainly prone to severe storms, sometimes producing waves up to 20 feet high. Even though the disciples are experienced fishermen, they have good reason to be afraid.
When they cry out to Jesus, he simply gets up and rebukes the wind and raging waters; the storm immediately subsides, and all becomes calm. Luke seems to imply that this is the natural and expected result of Jesus’ presence and action. But then he asks them a crucial question: ‘Where is your faith?’ (v 25). Jesus senses here a crucial moment of training for his disciples. I don’t think he’s upset that they’ve called out to him and woken him – that is clearly the right thing to do. The problem is that they’ve looked at their surroundings and come to the conclusion that they are going to drown. Even though Jesus is with them, they’ve allowed the storms around them to set their expectations and they have given in to fear that this will end in their death.
When the storms of life surround us, it is easy to think we’re at the mercy of the winds and waves. This is natural, but Jesus here is calling us to perceive something supernatural – his presence is greater than the frightening circumstances around us. He can intervene and rescue, if only we will ask. Just as Jesus calmed the waves, he can calm whatever storms you are facing today. Resist the urge to give in to fear, to be ruled by what you can see naturally around you.
Apply
Ask for eyes of faith, to see supernaturally and to understand that Jesus is with you. He will bring his amazing calm to your life.
Closing prayer
Father, I confess that sometimes my faith wains in even the smallest of circumstances. Forgive me. Holy Spirit, build my faith.
Last Updated on August 1, 2023 by kingstar
