A Day-by-day devotional

January 19, 2023

When the Boat Rocks

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 29-31

Scripture of the Day: Mark 4:35-41

I recently rode a ferry boat to get from one island to another. I have never been seasick my whole life, but this recent trip had been challenging. The waves were rocking the boat in a way that made one quite dizzy. I remained seated and mostly asleep during the trip.

It put to mind one incident when Jesus was on the boat with His disciples and He was sound asleep amidst storm and turbulence. His disciples roused Him and He calmed the storm and the waves.

What struck me most was when Jesus said to his disciples, after calming the storm, “Have you no faith?” Jesus’ disciples spent a lot of time with Him. They should have already been fully immersed in His ways. They should already have a faith that is able to move mountains. Yet, the Lord asked them that question!

It was not that they did not believe in what Jesus can do! They knew He can do great things. In fact, they knew He could do something about the waves and the storm. That was why they woke Him up from His slumber. They have faith in what He could do! What they missed out on, however, was the faith that amidst the storm, considering that their Lord was with them, that the turbulent waves and storm could cause them no harm. They were, after all, boarded on the same boat as Jesus! Yet, they panicked. They were afraid. They had a lot of faith in what Jesus could do about the storm. However, even though they have that faith, they had more faith in the destruction the storm could bring, than the presence of their Lord keeping them from harm.

In this life, we have faith and trust in what God is capable of doing. But when the trials of life come, we have more faith in the trials doing us harm, than our God having our backs and saving us! Once fear sets in, our trust is compromised. Our faith is shattered!

It is not difficult to have faith in what our magnificent and gracious God can do. But it entails a great faith not in the amazing deeds that God can do but in Him who does them that would actually calm the raging storms in our lives. We need to have faith not in what God can do for us, but in God Himself. He knows everything that takes place in our lives. All we need to do is be still and trust that He is God! (Psalm 46:10).

Reflection: Do you panic in the midst of turmoil? Or do you trust that God will calm the storm for you, according to His perfect plan and time?

Prayer: Lord, please steady my heart in times of trouble. Help me know that no matter what storm comes, as long as I am on the boat in which you are in, I need not be afraid. As long as you’re with me, I am safe and sound. Amen.