Jesus Calms the Storm, Luke 8:22-25

Now it came to pass on a certian day, that He went into a ship with His disciples: and He said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth.
But as they sailed He fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
And they came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
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.

     What I never noticed until a pastor pointed it out in a Bible study one day was that Jesus told His disciples to go to the other side of the lake. If Jesus told His disciples they were going to the other side of the lake, they were going to the other side of the lake. There could be no accidental drowning in the middle of the lake. Jesus had said they were going to the other side, and to the other side they would go.
     And yet, a terrible storm arose while they were on the way to the other side. Jesus had not said that the ride would be smooth or pleasant, He had only said that they would get where they were going. The disciples seemingly forgot this small detail, because when their boat started to fill up with water they panicked and awoke Jesus, crying, "Master, Master, we perish!"
     Another interesting fact that we see in this passage is that while the boat was filling with water, while the storm raged and the wind tossed them to and fro, Jesus was asleep in that very boat which was filling with water, supposed to be sinking by His disciples, many of whom happened to be experienced fishermen. Jesus was asleep! He was not worried, He was not anxious, He was not afraid. He knew they were going to get to the other side, and having total peace and confidence, He laid down to rest.

     Is this not a vivid picture of us, going through the storms of life? Do we not, like the disciples, panic and fear and call upon Jesus to save us, assuming we are perishing, when He specifically told us that we were going to the other side? How many times has He laid it upon our hearts to do something, and when we start to do it, it seemingly goes awry and we panic, crying out desperately for Him to save us? Did He ever say that it was going to go the way you thought it would? Did He ever say that life on earth following and serving Him would be smooth and easy and carefree? No. But He did promise us joy and peace, and blessings beyond our imaginations. He promised us abundant life on earth, provision for our needs, and eternal life in heaven with Him and the Father.
     Realize that whatever He has purposed in your heart to do, He will do it without failure. He is faithful to complete that which He has started, and nothing is too hard for Him. There is not a problem He can't handle, not a situation that will arise that will take Him by suprise. Jesus was asleep during the storm. He was at peace. He was at rest. And so we ought to be, knowing that our more-than-capable, loving and gracious, merciful God is in control of everything happening in our lives.