‘One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm. Then he asked them, “Where is your faith?” The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!”’ Luke 8:22-25 (NLT)
“Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?” – Luke 8:22-25
And that’s where the story we know ends…But aren’t they still in the middle of a lake? The word of God says that in our struggles He will provide a peace that passes all understanding, not a quick pass to the destination of our choosing. That’s just plain frustrating isn’t it? Your storm is real, and so is mine, so we cry out to Jesus and say “Lord we’re going to die…HELP!”
Every time we cry out for the Lord He is sure to meet us where we are. Jesus is with us and is faithful to calm the storm that is raging around us. Interestingly enough, though Jesus calms the storm, He doesn’t always sail us on to dry land. There is always more work to do after the storm to get to the place we want to go. The disciples had a goal – to get to the other side of the lake – and then they encountered a MAJOR obstacle. They cried out to Jesus and He calmed the storm and they knew that God was with them!
Absolute resolution may still require patience that only a sailor could understand as he approaches the distant horizon. What if delayed gratification is a process that draws us nearer to God’s heart? Wherever you may be, let me encourage you to cry out to God in your difficulty…be aware that He’s promised that He will be with us. Don’t forget, however, that there is still much work to do even after the miracle has happened…. And…. HE IS WITH US
from Building 429 – Unashamed