Matthew 8:24

New International Version (NIV)

Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

For Meditation

I was expecting a quiet morning with my family that day. I thought I deserved it, after a hard week’s work, so my wife and I stayed in bed late. The curtains ruffled gently in our bedroom windows, and a beautiful bird sat calmly in its nest in the window ledge, undisturbed. We were enjoying the fresh and calm morning, and a good conversation; not expecting any visitors. Suddenly, the storm!

 “Where is that Baafi character? Today, you’ll see.”

Her voice shattered the peaceful morning and boomeranged through the quiet neighborhood. My wife looked quizzically at me; but I had no idea what was going on.

“Where is the rest of the money, you thief?”

There were three of them – two women and a man. One of the women was the wife of a friend who lived in Amsterdam. I had sold their car through an agent, and they were upset about the money received. Apparently, the agent had skimmed the sale price, and I did not know it. In my entire life, only two people have insulted me that hurtfully, and this was the worst. Like the storm that suddenly swept over the lake when Jesus and His disciples were on their way to the district of the Gadarenes (Matt. 8:24), this woman furiously rocked my boat that morning.

Some days are like that. You have no idea what is coming and suddenly, “Wham!” Right in your face, a violent storm lashes its angry waves against your calm life, and you are lost for words.

1. Have you experienced that before?
2. Has your day been jolted so violently without warning?
3. What did you do?
4. Who did you turn to for help?
5. How did it end?

The disciples had Jesus to turn to on that day. The Master got “up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm” (26). He is the same Master I turned to on that stormy morning in my house in Ghana. The issue was not settled then, but I had peace in my heart, knowing I was innocent. Some months later, they got to know the truth, and their shame follows them to this day.

Maybe, your storm is furiously ragging now, and you fear for the worst. Yours may be threatening the few days or week ahead, and you don’t know how to face it. I don’t know what it is, but I have good news for you. The same Savior and Master, Jesus Christ, who calmed the storm on that sea and in my situation, will also calm your storm, no matter how violent it may be. Just turn to Jesus by faith and receive the peace of God that transcends understanding to guard your heart and mind in Him (Phil. 4:6-7).

Shalom