The Presence in the Boat
Does God feel far away today? Take our free lesson, When God is Silent, to learn how to find God in the storm.
“That day when evening came, He said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.’ Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’” (Mark 4:35-38)
When the disciples set sail for the other side of the lake with Jesus, they did not expect to encounter a life-threatening storm. Without a miracle, they were certain that all would be lost; yet Jesus lay asleep on a cushion in the stern of the ship. Panic-stricken, they hurried to wake Him. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” they asked. Unbelief caused them to question the Lord’s concern for them. They had forgotten His words at the outset: “Let us go over to the other side.”
Questions about faith? Bring your doubts
Why would I need faith?: Find some answers
The truth was, the disciples would arrive safely because their little boat carried invaluable treasure—the Son of God. How could He drown before going to Calvary? How could they perish, when His desire was for them to arrive together? Faith concludes that if Jesus is present in the boat, it cannot sink, leaving purpose unfulfilled.
We are not so different from those disciples. Life’s troubles can appear so threatening that we wonder if we will ever emerge from them in one piece. Yet isn’t it encouraging knowing that the Lord is still with us, even when He seems silent? He is in sovereign control, able to calm the storm at a moment’s notice.
Perhaps Jesus walked to the bow of the ship and stretched His arm toward the darkening horizon when He said, “Quiet! Be still!” The winds ceased to whirl and the sea became as serene as glass. With a few simple words, He harnessed the natural elements and bent them to His will. In the storm, He demonstrated His deity and challenged His disciples’ faith.
Let us pursue a fearless faith, one that recalls His promises, trusts in His presence, and stands in awe of His power. We may expect that all things will work together for our good. (Rom. 8:28) He has invited us to the other side, and nothing can prevent our arrival.
Father, the storms are raging in my life. Show me again how much You care for me, and speak a word of calm to my situation. Even if You don’t change the situation, please increase my faith so I may trust You in difficult times, Amen.
Questions: Are you overwhelmed by a test or trial? Remind yourself of God’s promises and presence. What other steps can you take to encourage yourself as you wait on Him?
Tags: Devotional, Ebony Murdoch, God, Jesus, sail, storm, Walk on Water, Women
13 Responses to “The Presence in the Boat”
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I agree with you Molly….what an admonition and reminder for us to do as the author says….Let us pursue a fearless faith, one that recalls His promises, trusts in His presence, and stands in awe of His power. ….So glad that you are enjoying the blog Molly and taking the time to post! We love it when our readers do that!
So well spoken & True Molly…Hugs Linda
It’s very hard sometimes communicating ,much less trying to do it through electronics. But this blog is a wonderful tool for people to come together and express how they are hearing the Word given or how the Holy Spirit is speaking to them or maybe just how they are feeling. It’s a a great way to share . We have to remember its hard enough to understand people when we are in person sometimes ,so electronically leaves so many details out. Lord may we always seek to speak in truth and love and mercy and grace all in faith of your Word and by your Spirit in Jesus.
Well written and rightly said. We live in a day when push comes to shove all we really have is our faith in God to sail through every storm.
thank you for this good article– other ways is God’s creation around us especially now woth the leaves turing color.
THANK YOU FOR THIS AWESOME WORD. I LOVE HOW YOU WROTE TO REMIND US ,TO PURSUE FARLESS FAITH AND TRUST IN HIS PRESENCE,PROCLAIMING HIS PROMISES.HE HAS INVITED US TO THE OTHERSIDE AND NOTHING CAN STOP OUR ARRIVAL. WOW GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT! I AM IN AWE OF THE GREAT NAME OF JESUS! LOVER IF MY SOUL,MOLLY
Ebony, What a powerful picture! I love this quote from you ….
Let us pursue a fearless faith, one that recalls His promises, trusts in His presence, and stands in awe of His power.
Thank you for this!
God bless your day and your journey.
Warmly,
Gail
Thank you so much for this devotional…I truly needed to be reminded of this! Hugs, Linda
Thank you for such a blessing of a reminder. It’s true, we often forget He is with us… so tempting to look only at our circumstances. May God have mercy on us, truly truly HELP us & give us supernatural grace, strength & TRUTH to live for Him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thanks for praying for me in the past. I’m still teaching in the inner-city, it’s my so-called ‘tenure’ year so there’s a lot of pressure, as well as unfriendly co-workers (who are teachers). I just need continual prayer & guidance for if I should change careers (still education, but a different role). Also still healing from some emotional drama, it’s tough being a single Christian woman in the city (NY), trying to hold onto/ wait for what God has for me. I was also recently hurt by a ‘relationship’ that didn’t ‘work out’ – mostly due to spiritual differences (he was a nominal Christian). Still healing from some hurts, despite other stresses in my life. Pls lift up a prayer for me if you can, to stay STRONG in God, not look back & be blessed w/ what He has for me. Thank you, God bless.
Thank you Ebony…I am so encouraged today. Praise the Lord!
Focus abd keep our attention on Jesus
This devotional was very touching to me with my family’s current issues. I have never thought about if He said they were going to the other side, then that’s what’s was going to happen, storm or not. He didn’t have to speak to the storm, that was for the sake of the disciples and their lack of faith. You can read the same scripture and hear the same story over and over again and God will show u something new each time. Thank you.