A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, October 14
- ontrakk
- Oct 14
- 1 min read
Matthew 8:23-27
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
This story of Jesus calming the storm should be another “life verse” for me. I have no difficulty whatsoever with the validity of the events. What I have trouble with, and what stretches me, is accepting that Jesus is looking out for me in this same way. Can I truly hand over all of my fear and anxiety when things are going sideways? Do I know that Jesus is in control here and now? I don’t always feel that certain, and that bothers me.
Lord God, help me to experience your strength and protection even when I feel afraid. I know that you love your creation and want to keep me close. Amen
Becky, transforming
Matthew 8:23-27
Give it over to God. How often have I been given this advice and how often I given it to others. Learning to give my worries to God is a goal for me. I am doing OK with that. Fear, however, is different than worry. Fear often immobilizes us. We forget where to turn. The others in the boat didn't forget. However, I'm not sure why. Did they waken him so he could be as afraid as they were, or was there some seed of understanding of the power he had that might help them. They were amazed by what he did and began to understand who he might be.
Prayer: Gracious God, We do know your power…
Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus’ reply to the panic felt by His disciples always gives me pause. “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” I suspect I would have not been very calm in their situation either. Nevertheless, both the Old and New Testament are replete with “do not fear” passages. It seems the message here is that faith is that perfect love that casts out fear. Just as I need to exercise my physical body to stay reasonably fit, I must regularly exercise my spirit to build an unshakable faith that will not be overcome by fear.
Prayer - Sovereign God, obeyed by even the wind and waves, help me increase my faith daily and may a strong faith…