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?
