3/29/21

"And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him." (Luke 8:25)
I know you remember this story from the life of Jesus and His disciples. It is recorded by Matthew and Mark, as well.
Jesus and His disciples are in Galilee, and are going to cross the sea by boat. (Jesus could have walked across the sea, but His disciples needed a boat.)
The way this story begins is very important. "Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth." (v. 22)
Did you see something important, there? Jesus informed them that He had a plan for that day. The plan was this, "We are going across the sea to the other side."
Along the way to accomplish the plan for that day, they encountered a terrifying storm! (v. 23) But remember, the plan is to cross the sea!
The ship began to fill with water from the waves. (v. 23) The sail was of no use. And the oars were useless, as well. But, the plan is, "We are going to cross the sea to the other side."
Jesus is asleep in the ship, and is not helping them. They think that He does not care that they are about to drown. (v. 24) But, Jesus' plan was not that they all drown in the sea. The plan was for them to cross the sea to the other side!
They awaken Jesus, and accuse Him of not doing a good job of taking care of them. They have forgotten all about what the plan was for that day. Remember the plan?
Jesus rebukes the wind and the raging sea! Suddenly, there was a great calm! (v. 24)
Jesus then rebukes His disciples for their lack of faith! "...Where is your faith?..." (v. 25)
That may seem harsh, but Jesus had told them that He had a plan for that day. They should have had faith that He would see the plan through! The plan was, "Let us go to the other side of the sea."
The storm was an incident that occurred along the way to accomplish the plan. And drowning was not in the plan, at all.
God has a plan for your life. He will accomplish that plan, no matter what. We are just along for the ride!
Storms will descend, and the sea will rage, but God's plan is to bring us to the other side!
Whatever happens today, don't forget the plan. We are on our way to the other side! Don't loose faith in Jesus' ability to fulfill the plan.
"...for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him."
From my heart to your heart.