“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing.’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?’” Matthew 8:23-27
Imagining how quickly this storm rose, and that it was so boisterous the seasoned fishermen thought they would drown, we know Jesus did not calm just the space around their vessel. He who made the mountains encircling part of the Sea of Galilee rules the wind currents that ride and swoop over those ridges, and the tumult of the deep waters within. He stirs, and He roils, and He calms just the same, ‘asleep’ and at peace in His sovereign power; and we can rest our souls in Him.
This same Jesus knows our every challenge, every twinge of unwanted jealousy or chafing rub in a relationship, every pang of hurt feelings and unmet longings and not belonging. And He is Lord of all these things. Jesus understands our temptations, the rage of unholy desire and the urge to get revenge or see others get their due. And He is Lord of those things too. Jesus knows our weaknesses and failings and regrets, He is not surprised at our trials or struggles or conundrums, and He is greater than them all, Lord of and over all these things. (Isaiah 45:21; 46:9-10)
“The Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool… Did not my hand make all these things?’ Acts 7:48-50
Where am I fearful of life’s turbulence, resisting the spray of stinging water, or set rocking by circumstances beyond my control? Are my eyes wide with sorrow or angst at the unsettled places and unknown dangers, or would I fix them on my Savior at rest, calmly reigning over all these things? Do I shudder at relational conflicts and refuse to believe that sovereign God works invisibly in every storm, and can use the squalls to stretch and change and mature me, and supernaturally achieve His divine purposes through them?
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 14:27; 16:33
In my tempests and when my sea is glass, Sovereign Lord, may I trust You the same. May I so breathe Your Spirit that all is peace, inside and out, to the honor of Your Throne.
