Floyd Rogers

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell an account of Jesus and his disciples in a boat when the wind and waves grew to a dangerous state. It must be an important account because all four Gospels record it.  Was it just to show us what Jesus could do? He demonstrated his power by calming the water.  But is there more to the story than this?

Matthew 8:23-27 New American Standard Bible

²³ When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. ²⁴ And behold, a violent storm developed on the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. ²⁵ And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!” ²⁶ He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. ²⁷ The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Some have suggested that this scripture assures us that Jesus is always with us. But I think there’s a bit more to it than this.  Consider the apostles in the boat with Jesus were doing his work.  They were in God’s will.  But even though Jesus was in the boat with them, and they were on a mission for him, they doubted.  This is a very important distinction.  They were doing God’s work when they became afraid.

Scriptures that tell us we can do all things through God’s strength are popular, but I think they are often quoted without context, and there are a lot of scriptures that give us this context. James 4:3 tells us, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, so that you may spend what you request on your pleasures.” (NASB) God will strengthen, and give us what we need, when we are doing His will.

Our faith needs to be guided by God’s will, not ours.

What are your thoughts?