January 4 | Matthew 8:18-27
DAILY READING:
Matthew 8:18-27
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Reflection
Through the Storm
by Mary Kate Hipp
"Why are you afraid, you of little faith?"
The storm is raging, the boat is swamped by the waves and is violently rocking. The disciples are franticly exclaiming that they will surely die, yet there Jesus lays, asleep.
I have found great comfort in this chaotic story throughout the first three years of my college experience. I have felt as though I am one of the disciples on the boat and the chaotic waves of life are thrashing against me. It has felt like in the past three years everything that could have gone wrong, has gone wrong.
What is interesting in this story though is that Jesus led the disciples onto this boat. The disciples were exactly where the Lord had led them, and a storm still came. I too am exactly where the Lord has led me, and a storm still came. The waves still crash, the winds still blow. This seems to be a common occurrence in the Christian experience. Going where the Lord leads often includes weathering storms (yes, plural). Abraham was told to sacrifice his own son, Joseph was thrown into slavery by his brothers, the Israelites were exiled, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace, Paul was thrown into prison numerous times, nearly every disciple was a martyr. Persecution, trials, and storms are inevitable for Christians (John 16:33), but even the winds and the waves obey Him.
Right before rebuking the winds and the waves, Jesus asks the disciples, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Before the storm had been calmed, Jesus is proclaiming that the disciples had every reason to have faith. So why are the disciples afraid? God has given us ample reason to have faith in Him. Why are you afraid? Far be it from us to require Him to calm our storms for us to have faith!
I say I have found comfort in this story because I am reminded that since I have faith, I can find peace in knowing my God is with me through my storms and He has the power to calm them. Have faith. Believe that He is with you in this place to which He has led you.
PRAYER PRACTICE
As you pray, consider how has God been faithful in your life and how He is currently faithful. Jot your thoughts down. Thank God for His faithfulness and pray for continued faith in Him.