Stormy Weather

Good afternoon everybody,
Matthew 8 tells a familiar story, one that I want us to ponder today.
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake.
23 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 Jesus responded, “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.
27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”

Notice that right at the start of this story, Jesus gave His disciples a job to do, a goal, a directive. So in His mind, it was as good as done. So he decided to get some shut eye. Even when the waves literally broke into the boat, soaking Him, He refused to let the devil steal His rest. Remember, He said cross to the other side. So they will.
Now the disciples were not that confident. Sure they heard from the Lord. They had a job to do and they were putting everything they had into it. Completely sold out, living for Jesus.
But while they were out there, a deadly storm appeared out of nowhere. It looked like and felt like there was no way possible, no cure, no escape. In their eyes, this was it. They were goners. BUT did the goal change, ‘cross to the other side’? No. And who is with them in the boat? The Man who they watched cast out devils, feed multitudes, and heal scores of thousands of sick people. He is right there with them, but… Is He aware of the situation? I mean, fast asleep while being drenched. Not very aware.
How many of us have been there, in the middle of a storm that screams, ‘I am taking you out’? And it seems as though if Jesus is there, He somehow doesn’t quite understand the gravity of it all. In another account of the same story, the disciples asked Jesus if He cared that they were drowning. Have you been there?

I, and my family, are in that kind of storm right now. Medical reports go from bad to worse. In the natural, all hope is gone. BUT, did the goal change? NO!! Did Jesus say to try to cross to the other side, unless you run into a problem? No. He said that He would be with us, never leave us. He said he overcame, to be of good cheer.
Friends, it will look like you have lost your marbles when you say God’s word about your situation. They will think you are in denial. Nuttier than a fruitcake. But when your boat is sinking and there is only one lifeline, the living Word, you have a choice.
The disciples were sure they were sunk. Water was coming in faster than they could bail it out. As soon as they could get up, another wave would knock them off their feet again. But when they woke up Jesus, did he say ‘I understand, boys, this problem is a big problem. Good thing you got me up!’ no, he didn’t say that. He apparently had expected something more from them. He said why are you so afraid? Where is your faith? (if I were there, I might have thought, ‘it left with that last wave that knocked me down.) =)
That is a tall order. Not being afraid. Were they supposed to just keep rowing as if there was no storm? No, that would be denial. Did Jesus actually expect them to do something about the storm? Like He did?
We are not the healer. We can’t scrunch up our eyes, say Jesus name three times and make the symptoms disappear. But we can do something. We can focus on the goal. There is a destiny, a plan for our hope and future. We can agree in our hearts and out loud with what the living, powerful Word says about our storm. This is not denial. It is setting the thermostat of our lives with the most powerful heat pump in the universe!
Recently I have been full of fear, absolutely tormented by it night and day. I gave the devil a place and he took it. Today I renew my commitment to be fear free. Sounds impossible, but with God all things are possible. Please pray for me and my family. I love y’all dearly!
Healed by His stripes,
Nancy Bass