Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:23-27 NLT)
I have personally journaled and spoke about this passage of scripture in the past. However this morning I am reminded of the power of Jesus’ spoken word.
The observation I have had previously, and was reminded of this morning is this:
If Jesus says it, then we can count on it.
Jesus told them to get into the boat, that they were going to other side of the lake. They were going to go to the other side of the like!
When the massive storm erupted, and it was looking precarious they freaked out. (Aahhh freak out) They panicked, woke Jesus up, and Jesus calmed the storm. But when He finished calming the storm he asked them why they were afraid, and why they had little faith. And, as you and I would be, they were amazed by what they just saw.
As write today, I am writing to myself. God has called me to do certain things. I know He has called me. So, I WILL get there. It doesn’t mean there won’t be storms between here and the conclusion of my calling. It doesn’t mean I won’t freak out between here and there. What it does mean is I will get there. It means my faith needs to be directed in the calling of the Lord, and not the perceived means to the end. I honestly think that is where I stumble. There are times I know exactly what Jesus is calling me to do, and I develop a plan to get there. It was my plan and HIs calling. Then I face trials or storms, and I freak out. Instead of calling on Him, I either try harder (which never works), or I give up completely. It is then we say something really spiritual like, I must of have missed it. Maybe I did, but probably I missed the opportunity for faith, or I caught up in my own means to the end. I want to focus on His calling, His direction, and His strength.
This morning, I guess what I am reminding myself of is this:
1. Did God call me to….? Yes
2. Did He promise there would not be trials and storms to accomplish….? Nope
3. Then I need to press on and press in to Him. I can’t get to other side without Him regardless. If it is my own plan, and it is failing then I need His plan. If I am just in the middle of a storm, I need to rely on Him to calm it, and if He doesn’t be okay with riding it out. I will still get there!
I am going to get to the other side of the lake!
Daily Devotional 