A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

EVEN THE WIND AND WAVES OBEY JESUS

Matthew 8:23-27 “Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly 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!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!” 

“A furious storm” had no effect on Jesus. While His disciples panicked, Jesus slept. The disciples still did not recognize the full authority Jesus had over them and the world in which they lived. If they had, they would not have panicked. 

Adam and Eve’s sin changed the very nature of God’s creation. Whereas, before their sin there was perfect harmony between all of God’s creation. There were no destructive storms. No illnesses existed. Death was absent. Only after sin entered the world did thorns and thistles appear, pain become apart of the human life, and storms wreak havoc. 

When the disciples wakened Jesus and cried out in panic, He used His Divine authority to “calm the storm” and save the disciples lives. Jesus restored order to the chaotic sea. He vanquished the power of the waves to preserve the boat and the lives of the disciples. Jesus brought back the harmony God intended between nature and humanity. 

Jesus is Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) He is God with you throughout your earthly life. “Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:39) Jesus, by His death and resurrection has conquered even your greatest enemy, the power of death. You have nothing to fear. Even though Jesus says, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”(Matthew 24:6-8) Fear not! Romans 8:37 assures you, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, send Your Spirit into my heart to strengthen me in my faith and trust in you that I always keep the eyes of my heart on You through my earthly journey. In Your holy name. Amen.  

Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly  While the nearer waters roil, While the tempest still is high,  Hide me, O my Savior, hide, Till the storm of life is past;  Safe into the haven guide, Oh, receive my soul at last. 

Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee,  Leave, ah, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me!  All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring;  Cover my defenseless head With the shadow of Thy wing. 

Wilt Thou not regard my call, Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?  Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall; Lo, on Thee I cast my care;  Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,  Hoping against hope, I stand, Ding, and, behold, I live! 

Thou, O Christ, art all I want; Mere than all in Thee I find.  Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,  Heal the sick, and lend the blind.  Just and holy is Thy name;  I am all unrighteousness, False and full of sin I am;  Thou art full of truth and grace. 

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Grace to cover all my sin.  Let the healing streams abound; Make and keep me pure within.  Thou of life the Fountain art, Freely let me take of Thee;  Spring Thou up within my heart, Rise to all eternity.  (TLH 345)