Even The Winds And Waves Obey Him!

September 8, 2015

Even The Winds And Waves Obey Him!

“Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Matthew 8:24

I love this time of the year! In our little part of the world, we’ve turned the corner from the warmth of summer, and are entering into the fall season. Bedroom windows are open and cool gentle mountain breezes make for wonderful sleeping. In a month I’ll be hosting our spiritual formation weekend at church. The event was first scheduled in February, but had to be cancelled because of a snow and ice storm. I am looking forward to showing off the fall beauty of our mountains to our guest speaker; it should more than make up for having to cancel the event last February.

Our God, who created the heavens and earth, and the appointed seasons on earth, also prescribes seasons for our lives. Some of those seasons are obvious: youth, adulthood, singleness, married, children, work, and perhaps the best, being retired. Within these seasons are sub-seasons when we encounter extraordinary blessings or difficulties. For the disciples, the three years they spent with Jesus was a season in their lives, punctuated with many blessings as well as stressful difficulties. The events recorded in Matthew 8 were typical of this season in the lives of the disciples.

Jesus had healed a man with leprosy, the Roman official’s servant, Peter’s mother-in-law, and countless others. Then, what started out as a moonlight sail across the Sea of Galilee turned suddenly into a matter of life and death for the disciples: “Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat . . .  the disciples shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

Jesus was napping when they encountered the storm. When he was awakened by the disciples, Jesus asked them, “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. The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!” (Matthew 8:26-27 Emphasis mine). This assertion from the disciples is one of many portions of scripture that I use as a mantra of comfort. (Another is, “for thou art with me” from Psalm 23:4.)

Whatever season of life, with its accompanying blessings or extraordinary difficulties is yours today, Jesus, the one for whom the winds and waves obey, is with you. Even if it seems he is napping at the moment, he is still close at hand. Breathe deep, and remember his parting words to the disciples, and to you, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

·        Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

·        The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

·        Meditations on The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.