Storm Warning: Storm Shelter — Thursday
Matthew 8:26
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. (NLT)
Have you ever been awakened from a good nap? I’m sure Jesus wasn’t super thrilled when He was woken up. One might assume this by His reaction: “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Yikes! Sounds a little harsh—but is He wrong? If you go back to the beginning of chapter 8 and read what Jesus had done earlier that same day, you might understand why He responded the way He did.
Let’s take a quick inventory of what happened prior to them getting in the boat: Jesus healed a man of leprosy, He healed a paralyzed servant, He healed Peter’s mom who was sick with a high fever, He cast out evil spirits from many demon-possessed people, and He healed more sick people that were brought to Him. Wow—and that’s just what was recorded in that short chapter!
Let’s remember something: The disciples witnessed every single one of these miracles. Every single one! After knowing this, don’t you think Jesus had a little bit of reason to ask why they were afraid? It’s almost as if He was saying, “Guys, did you seriously not see me heal all of those people and cast out all of those demons? Don’t you think I can handle a little weather?” And sure enough, what did He do? He got up from His nap and completely stopped the storm with a simple word from His mouth. If you believe in a God who can do ALL of these things, do you not believe that He is with you, even in the storm?
Thursday’s Reflection
Spend some time meditating on Joshua 1:9 — “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)
