“They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. And He said to them, “Where is your faith?’” Luke 8:24-25 NASB
Sixteen years ago, I was sitting in a hospital waiting room surrounded by strangers after my husband, Joe, suffered a massive heart attack. Even though I can be a pretty excitable and emotional person, at that moment in time, I was filled with a great sense of peace. To be honest, I didn’t know if God was going to spare my husband’s life, even though that’s what I was asking Him to do. I just know that at some point, I made a decision to put my faith in God, and I knew that He was with me in the storm. At the time, that was all I needed to know.
Today, in the midst of a global pandemic, I seem to be surrounded by people who are overcome with fear. Some fear death. Some fear sickness and disability. And others fear all of those. And they are living in torment. Where do I stand in all of this? I have the same sense of peace today that I had in that hospital waiting room many years ago, even though I am in the high-risk category because of my age. You see, I have made a decision. You could call it a “faith decision.” I have decided to put my faith in God to protect me and my family throughout this pandemic. And I am going about my daily life – and serving God and others with all of my heart – without any fear.
In the passage of Scripture above, the disciples are in a boat with a sleeping Jesus when a fierce storm descends upon them. As the boat begins to fill with water, putting them “in real danger” (v. 23 NLT), the disciples cry out, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” (v. 24) Jesus arises and rebukes the wind and waves, and then He rebukes His disciples: “Where is your faith?” (v. 25) Even though the disciples were in real danger, the Lord still rebuked them for their fear. Think about that. Does God still expect us to be full of faith instead of fear when a loved one of ours has what seems to be a fatal heart attack? Yes. Does He still expect us to resist fear when we are in the midst of a pandemic that has already claimed the lives of many people around the world? Yes! Why? Because faith pleases and glorifies God, and He ALWAYS rewards us for it. (Hebrews 11:6) On the other hand, all fear ever accomplishes is to provide Satan with an inroad into our lives and our families.
I knew that the Lord would reward me for trusting Him with my husband’s life that day 16 years ago. I didn’t know for sure what that reward would be, but I was so grateful when it turned out to be my husband’s supernatural recovery. I believe that God is asking you today to trust Him in the midst of your own storm. How will you answer His call to faith?
Lord, whenever I face trials and troubles in this life, help me to put my wholehearted trust in You. Fill me with a desire to devote myself to Your Word and prayer, so that I can cooperate with You for the building of my faith. Teach me how to resist and rebuke fear whenever it comes against me. Thank You that as I answer Your call to faith in every situation and circumstance, I will reap the blessed rewards that are reserved for Your most faithful followers!
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