A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
We have certainly experienced situations that feel like this. We've been in violent squalls of circumstance, unsure where Jesus is, and why he isn't helping. Yet the invitation here is not to panic. It is to trust that Jesus, just by virtue of the fact that he is asleep on our boat, is enough to be sure that we will survive the storm.
Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?"
He calms the wind and the waves, but not when we would have him do it, necessarily. We don't need to fear even while we are still surrounded by storm on every side. With Jesus we can weather any storm.
We need to recognize the presence of Jesus in our boats. When we do we can endure the storms of trial and temptation. David is ensnared by passion. But if we remember the presence of Jesus when we feel temptations like that we can persist. We do occasionally fall and give in to temptation. At such times it is easy to be overwhelmed by despair. But if we look for the presence of Jesus we can find forgiveness and redemption even at times like that.
Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.
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