“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?””
In the storm there was no question the disciples feared for their life. They did not exercise faith, but doubt. Jesus was in the boat, but they were convinced they were dying while Jesus was sleeping through it.
When you go through the storms of your life isn't it also true that you wonder where God is?
I can understand the disciples' doubt, too. "Don't you care we perish?" This was a stupid question. Jesus demonstrated often how much He cared for them. He came to earth for them. He prayed for them. He called them personally unto Himself to follow. He preached for their benefit. When they didn't understand, He would spend time and explain things to His disciples. Every time there was a problem, He solved it. Everything Jesus did was for them. He called them unto Himself, but doubts crept in, "Maybe He doesn't care." Emotions get in the way of reason. Fear overtakes faith.
We should know better today because we are this side of the cross. We have seen promises fulfilled. We have seen how Jesus overcame death. We understand how Christ worked out our salvation. We have the benefit of the Word of God that says there is nothing that can separate us from the Love of Christ in Romans 8. We have experienced God and His grace continually in our daily lives, yet in spite of it all, one little difficulty faces us and we are tempted to ask why? Does Jesus Care?
We must not underestimate the power of Satan. I believe the devil caused the storm. The Bible teaches us he is the prince and power of the air. I think God gave him the ability to also control nature. One preacher suggests this storm aroused quickly as Satan’s tool to try to drown Jesus Christ. If you want storms in your life, get close to God and study His Word. Learn it, teach it, tell it, and then live it. Satan will not like that either. He will send you storms just like he sent them to the disciples. Being close to Jesus may bring more storms, but then you also get the miracles. Only by being close to Christ will you know His comfort in the midst of a storm.
Satan can devour the Christian through worry, anxiety, and fear. The disciples made the mistake of waiting so long to call upon Jesus. That is what I also do. I rely on my own self as long as possible or talk to people for their advice, working furiously, bailing water, when the boat is threatened. Then only after my own efforts fail, I cry out to God and ask in a threatening sort of way. " Are you asleep God, Don't you care Jesus? Where are you?”
Application: God does not promise exemption from trouble, but He promises protection through the trouble. He does not always bring peace in your circumstances, but He does bring peace to your spirit.
Prayer: Lord, how I love Your Word. I so desire to Learn it, teach it, tell it, and then live it. I know that often the storms bring the miracle. Help me fix my eyes on You to know the comfort in the storm.
