Daily Devotion for February 16, 2006

In a Boat

 

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him saying "Lord save us! We're going to drown!" Matthew 8:23-25

 

I like boating and being on the water – except in a storm!  The dog paddle is my favorite, and dare I say only, method to stay afloat!  Bad storms concern me.

 

In Matthew chapter 8, we see that the disciples had a similar experience. They got caught in a bad storm on the water, and they were panic-stricken. They woke Jesus up and yelled at him, "Save us!" Some of these disciples were fishermen. They were experienced on the water, yet the faith they had in themselves and their boat disappeared. Now all they had left was to call on the Lord. We see that Jesus then tells them, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Their faith was not in Jesus but in their little fishing boat and in their experience to carry them through.  That day they quickly saw that would not cut it.  In so doing them (we) forgot something very important in our Christian faith: our focus is to be on Christ and our faith is to be in Christ. When we get caught in the storms and problems in our lives, we are to put our faith in Christ to see us through and not in our surroundings. It is Christ who controls the storms around us. When we put our trust in Christ, he will provide us comfort and calm the storms.

 

Prayer
Lord thank you for always being there for us when there are storms raging around us. Thank you for seeing us through these storms and helping us to grow from our experiences. Without you, we could not make it, but in your great love and mercy, you come to us and guide us. We can only offer our gratitude to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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