While Hurricane Katrina headed toward the coast of Mississippi, a
retired pastor and his wife left their home and went to a shelter. Their
daughter pleaded with them to go to Atlanta where she could take care of them,
but the couple couldn’t get any money to make the trip because the banks were
closed. After the storm had passed, they returned to their home to get a few
belongings, and were able to salvage only a few family photos floating in the
water. Then, when the man was taking his father’s photo out of its frame so it
could dry, $366 fell out—precisely the amount needed for two plane tickets to
Atlanta. They learned they could trust Jesus for what they needed.
For the disciples, trusting Jesus in a storm was the curriculum for the
day in the dramatic narrative of Mark 4:35-41. Jesus had instructed His
disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and then He went to
sleep in the boat. When a quick and violent storm blew in, the disciples
dripped as much with fear and anxiety as water from the waves. They woke Jesus,
saying, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (v.38 niv). Jesus stood up and
with three words, “Peace, be still!” He muzzled the storm.
We all experience storms—persecutions, financial troubles, illnesses,
disappointments, loneliness—and Jesus does not always prevent them. But He has
promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He will keep us calm in
the storm.
Are you in a storm? What do you know about God’s character that could
help bring calm to your heart?
In the storms of life, we can see the character of our God. (ODB)
