"He woke up
and rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea,
'Peace! Be Still'."

When we are in the midst of a storm, many of us are just like the disciples. We know that Jesus is with us in the boat, but we are terrified nonetheless. The question we ask him is the same one they asked: Don't you care if we drown?

Like the disciples, most of us know Jesus well. We have been in narrow escapes with him before, and he has always brought us through. But in the midst of a storm, we sometimes forget what he has done. We want him to act immediately, and we get upset when he does not Jesus hears our cries for help, just as he heard the disciples. When he is ready, he rebukes the wind and quiets the waves. But in the calm after the storm, Jesus asks us what he asked the disciples: Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Ask yourself today if you have faith in the Lord even when you cannot see him at work. Do you trust him to bring you through the storm? Do you believe that he is your stronghold in times of trouble? That he is faith and will never leave you?

In order to grow in faith during the storms to come, let us look at the storms we have already been through. Ask yourself these questions: During past storms, did I cling to God's promises and feel confident of his deliverance? After the storms were over, did I give myself credit for claiming the waves? What did I learn from past storms that I need to know for storms to come? Take time to prepare for the storms that are sure to come by memorizing God's promises. They will sustain you the next time the seas get rough.

--Julie Morris

 

Cover Text: Mark 4:39, NRSV

Cover Photo: Digital Stock

Devotion by Julie Morris. Used by permission.

 

Readings for the Second Sunday after Pentecost: 1 Samuel 17:(1a, 4-11, 19-23) 32-49; Psalm 9:9-20; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41