On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
Mark 4:35-41
The One Step Daily Devotional is intended to provide just one step each day for your journey with God. Every journey requires water breaks. Here is a water break for you.
As I read through the story of Jesus calming the storm, I’m reminded of my own lack of faith. I think about the times that I should speak in the authority that God has given me over the storms in my life, but I don’t. I think about all that I’ve heard Him say, but I do nor allow His words to impact my belief.
The disciples knew where to turn in times of trouble: to Jesus. In this moment, however, after walking with Him, seeing how He used the authority of Heaven, He expected that they should walk in that authority too.
While there is an invitation to exercise our faith, there is also this reality: their reaction to the storm impact more than just their boat.
We read in Mark 4:36, “And other boats were with him.”
The way the disciples chose to respond to the storm saved their boat, but their response saved every boat on the sea that day.
How we respond to the storms in life will impact those on the waters around us. Will we respond to the storms based upon what we have heard Him say (faith comes by hearing, after all)? Will we turn to Jesus as savior?
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to turn to Him for help. Perhaps today God wants you to respond to the storm in your life as He does: commanding peace. Maybe today God wants you to feel the weightiness of your response and its potential impact on those around you.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 517–524, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 21:1–11) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).