All The Difference

Walking in the Word

Luke 8:22-25 

²² Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out. ²³ But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. ²⁴ And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. ²⁵ But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”

Responding to the Word

There was a movie that came out a few years back called, "The Perfect Storm."  It was about a fishing vessel that was caught at sea in a terrible storm.  It was a fairly depressing movie in that everyone new what was going to happen at the end.  A huge wave was going to come and sink the boat.  I would assume the men on that boat was experiencing the heart-gripping fear the disciples faced in today's story.  The big difference in each story however was the ending.  While the boat in "The Perfect Storm" plummeted to the bottom of the sea, the boat in the Gospel of Luke sailed onto the other side.  And what made the difference?  Jesus!  How cool it must have been to see even the wind and waves obey the strong command of Jesus.  Sometimes, we might find ourselves in some pretty severe storms of life.  The next time we allow the storms of life to swell up in our hearts, call out to Jesus.  He's more than able to calm the raging seas.

Praying through the Word

Father, I confess that I sometimes allow the storms of life to enter my heart.  Please give me the faith to call upon the Name of Jesus and rest in Your will alone.  Father, I lift up all the men and women who are serving our Country overseas.  Many truly are in a storm that is raging.  Please put your Hand of protection upon each of them.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.