There are two readings for today.
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 114
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back… Why was it, sea, that you fled? Why, Jordan, did you turn back? [Psalm 114:3,5]
The psalmist thinks back to the time when God rescued His people from Egypt, from the Red Sea, from the wilderness and the Jordan River, to bring them safe to the other side into the Promised Land.
This was an amazing intervention of God, beyond human possibility.
He writes this to remind himself Who is on His side, how no one and nothing can defeat the God that stands behind us.
Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water. [Psalm 114:7-8]
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 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. [Matthew 8:25-26]
I think the disciples could personally relate to the Israelites in their own way; here they are at risk of perishing in the sea, and Jesus stops the storm.
Jesus rescues them and brings them safe to the other side.
Is it any wonder that they are shocked – The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” [Matthew 8:27]
They believed that God could do this… but Who is this Jesus???
We believe that God is the Maker and Sustainer of the universe, all things are in His hands, they hold together in Him.
But with the coming of Jesus, this belief is expanded to include Jesus: For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [Colossians 1:16-17]
The disciples cannot help but conclude that this man – even the wind and the waves obey Him – is the presence of God in human form.
Jesus is not just showing off His power, this is not just a ‘magic trick’ to impress His followers – this is why Jesus came, to intervene on behalf of God’s people.
Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, to open the way to life and eternity.
Everything Jesus did was intended to accomplish two goals: (1) to rescue humanity from the power of sin, death and hell, and (2) to demonstrate that He is able to rescue those who trust in Him.
Like the psalmist, we can remind ourselves of what God has done – not only for Israel back in Egypt, for for all humanity through Jesus.
And when we face trials and struggles, we can remind them that our hope and trust is in the one Who calmed the storm, for even the winds and the waves obey him!”
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the reminder that You are greater than the storm and the struggle, and that Your purpose is to bring me safe to the other side!