God of Surprises!

For the disciples this was a ‘suddenly’ moment. They had heard Him teach the crowds with great authority and seen Him heal many sick people – but this was different! Suddenly there was a storm, and when they awoke Him - suddenly He did the unthinkable! The realisation that Jesus was no ordinary man, and that He was actually sitting in the boat with them, must have dawned on them when they saw Him address nature, arresting the wind and the waves. What an awe-inspiring moment!

‘Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’ they questioned. Could this have been the moment when, for some of them, the truth of His divinity began to dawn on them?

Out on the ocean waves everything around them was beyond their control and nothing their years of experience on the sea had taught them was working. But the fact that He was in the boat and therefore accessible in their hour of need must have been a great comfort. And there was a great calm where once there was despair!

In the sometimes turbulent waters of life how wonderful it is to know the abiding presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in our boat. He has a way of surprising us beyond our expectations, and of revealing a facet of His character hitherto unknown to us, at any given point in our experience. For the disciples this would be the day when they would see Him deal with nature.

Whilst helping us to navigate through the challenges of life He can still the most furious of squalls. He scolded the disciples for their lack of faith, but did not allow their shortcomings to stop Him from revealing His Lordship to them.

Once we have glimpsed His greatness what a reassurance and a comfort there is in knowing we belong to Him and that He loves and cares for us.

Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for being in the boat of our lives and experiences whilst revealing Your majesty to us personally, particularly in times of need. Amen.