When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar;
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.
He sends lightning with the rain
and brings out the wind from His storehouses.

(Jeremiah 10:13)

 POWERFUL

ALMIGHTY

OMNIPOTENT

COMMANDING

SOVEREIGN

SUPREME

ALL-POWERFUL

 We serve an AWESOME GOD!

The winds lifted shingles off roofs, knocked down power lines, shook cables on the Mackinaw Bridge, felled trees on houses, shoved pedestrians along the sidewalk, left families in darkness, stole warmth from homes, sent objects flying in defiance of gravity– as uncharged smartphones lay silent on shelves.

Newscasters reported the strength and impact of the winds, weathermen issued warnings by intensity, dispatch operators answered the overwhelming surge of calls, emergency personnel reactively responded. But NO ONE could calm the winds.

Yet, there was ONE who could, as He had shown this power before to His disciples:

(Mark’s account: Mark 4:36-39) ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ 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?” ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

(Mark’s account: Mark 4:36-39) ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ 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?” ³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

(Matthew’s account: Matthew 8:23-26) ²³ Then He got into the boat and his disciples followed Him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” ²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The calm in the storm. We can only experience it through faith and trust in our All-Powerful God. The calm after the storm. It can only come when we go through the storm with our Lord who cares for us.

Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Whose hands have gathered up the wind?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is the name of His son?
Surely you know! (Proverbs 30:4)

No mere man or woman can gather the winds and order them to “Be still.” The stillness can only be found when we are in the same boat as Christ, the One who can rebuke the winds– and us when we lack faith in His Power and His Love.

(Sharon G. Tate -3/12/2017 blog ) teacherforjesus.com  Meditations on God’s Word