This particular passage from the Gospel of Luke illustrates why storms occur in our lives and what our response should be towards them.
One day after a busy day preaching, Jesus said to his disciples “Let us go to the other side of the lake” (sea of Galilea). As they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep (This shows the human trait of Jesus, He was tired- He was God in flesh). There was a great storm at the time, which caused the boat to toss and turn.
The disciples got very scared and immediately went and woke up Jesus. They cried out to him “Master, We are going to drown!”
Jesus got up and commanded the wind and waters to become calm and they obeyed him.
He turned to his disciples and asked “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25)
In fear and amazement the disciples asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” – They were beginning to understand that he was God.
There are a lot of things that could be learnt from this passage:
- Storms are normal in life:
Storms (difficult situation) occurs in everyone’s life.
Jesus himself has mentioned it: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Storms are natural in this life. But, we do not have to worry. We serve an amazing God who has gone through all this and he will give us the strength to overcome our troubles provided we have faith in him.
- Storms help us get closer to God
Similar to doubt, storms in and of itself is not a bad thing. Whether it is good or bad depends on our response to it. James, the half-brother of Jesus says the same thing. We need to be joyful in all circumstance (have peace) when we come across trials in our life as the testing of our faith brings us closer to God.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
In the case of this passage, the disciples were not trusting in God. They did not have faith. They did not pray at the time the storm occurred. They panicked and woke up Jesus. But after seeing what Jesus did, they understood that they need to trust God. The storm, though in the beginning of the passage looked like a bad thing actually helped in transforming the lives of the disciples.
- God is aware of the storms in our lives- He will be with us and lead us through the storm
God is already aware of the problems that we are facing in our lives. He will be with us and lead us through the situations. Sometimes it is through a miraculous intervention, but more often than not, he is quiet during the storm. Though he is quiet, he is with us, leading us through the situation.
This is because, most of the time, it is the trials and problems that bring us closer to God and helps us understand his amazing power.
In the passage, Jesus was the one who told the disciples to go over the other side of the lake. He was aware of the storm that was going to come. But he was with the disciples and delivered them “through” the storm.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:2)
If you are going through a storm, remember 1) God is in control 2) God will be with you and deliver you through the storm 3) God will never leave you nor forsake you.