The waves crashed against the sides of the boat as it floundered against the raging sea. The men in the vessel turn and yell at the one who is sleeping in the stern. “Save us!” They cry.
We often treat Jesus like our buddy, one of the “guys” in our life. I like thinking of Him as my friend, someone I can talk to. And He is.
But if He is less than God Almighty, if God is less than God Almighty, why do we expect Him to fix all our problems? If we know Him as Lord of all, King over all creation, why do we fear the tempests that surround us?
In one sense, it is admirable to me that the disciples knew to cry out to Him. Yet He rebukes their lack of faith because they did not see Him in charge of the winds and the lightening WHILE THEY WERE STILL VISIBLE. We can see God’s love and power when He takes problems away and question Him so deeply while they remain.
But, His authority never changes. His power, His sovereignty is not diminished because we can’t see the way through. His glory is no less evident when He chooses to “sleep” through our struggles.
If we could glimpse His great love for us, the love that conquered sin and death for you and me, we would see that His inaction, His lack of overt displays of power are really evidence of a heart that believes in us and knows what is best for us at all times.
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”