Devotionals

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

by Vera Dougherty
05/03/13
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IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT……

April showers may bring May flowers, but sometimes it can be very difficult during the storms. We’ve all had storms in our lives, but Jesus tells us He is with us in the midst of the storms.

Mark 4:35-41 (New International Version)
Jesus Calms the Storm

 ³⁵That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." ³⁶Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

 ³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

 ⁴⁰He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

 ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

I find it so interesting that when Jesus said to do something – anything – the disciples just did it. They followed Him. They followed His lead.

I also find it interesting that in verse 36 it says, “they took him along, just as He was, in the boat.”  The disciples went with Jesus, but they also took Him with them. Hmmmm. Do I take Jesus with me? Or do I at times leave Him at home?

A storm comes up and they are afraid they are going to die. Jesus is asleep. They question Jesus in the midst of the storm. “Teacher, don’t you care…?” Sometimes it seems that Jesus is “asleep” in the midst of the storms of life – but He is there. He wants us to call on Him though, just as the disciples did - even if we are upset, angry, or afraid. Just call on Him.

Have you ever questioned if Jesus really cares about you? I have to admit that I have. I even “had it out” with Jesus on that very topic. And you know what I found out? The answer is a resounding “YES.”

What is even more interesting to me is that when Jesus saved them from the storm by quieting the wind and the waves, the disciples were still terrified. We are so like them aren’t we? Sometimes when I have prayed for something and He answers my prayers I am still afraid. I believe that is from the enemy. It is also where trust comes in. Trusting Jesus with everything – the storms and the calm, and whatever comes.

We will all have storms in life. We need to ask ourselves:

• Do I take Jesus along with me in my “boat” of life?


• Will I ask Jesus to help me in the midst of those storms?


• Will I be afraid in the calm afterwards?


• Or will I trust Him to help me with whatever comes?

Life’s not about waiting for the storms to pass…
….it’s about learning to dance in the rain.


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