The Disciples: The Storm And The Silence

Matthew 8:24 – 26 (NIVUK)
Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The disciple's 'in-between' here was meant to be a quick boat journey with Jesus. They may have been planning to enjoy some rest away from the crowds. Maybe the disciples could even see their destination from the boat. However, this 'in-between' moment changed unexpectedly. Suddenly there was a storm seeking to destroy them and the boat. 

How often can life be like this - you think you know where you are going, you can see where you are headed, and all of a sudden, there is a storm, causing upheaval and hardship; there is bad news, broken relationships or loss.

And where was Jesus in all this? Asleep. As I write this, I can hear a storm outside. The news is full of stories of the destruction that the last storm caused. Storms can be scary and noisy, and understandably, the disciples panicked and doubted. I am always amazed at the thought of Jesus being asleep. Jesus knew his life was in God's hands, and so he didn't need to be concerned with a storm.

When Jesus was awoken by the disciples, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' (Mark 4:39) and the wind died down, and it was completely calm. I wonder if some of us are in storms right now and what can we learn from this story? The 'in-between' may be unexpected, but we are in God's hands and don't need to be afraid. When it sometimes feels like God is silent, because of Jesus, we have a voice. We have the promises of God to rely upon to speak to our storms. 

When life is unexpected and feels full of storms, what words of truth and power do we need to speak to the storm?

Prayer - Father God, please help us to trust in you in our storms and to remember that we have a voice to calm the storm.