Could you sleep in a small boat that was filling with water in a storm? [ See Mark 4:36-41 ] This is what Jesus did and it’s quite understandable that the disciples who were with Him woke Him up and cried out, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?!” Jesus immediately got up off His pillow and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Quiet, be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

When things appear to be going wrong we can all be tempted to criticise God and say, “Don’t you care?!” But this can never be right, especially when we remember that He gave his only Son to die on the cross so that we can be forgiven. If we throw away our trust in God’s goodness we’re sunk! But if we’re spiritually awake and believe the promise that, “All things work together for good to those who love God” [ Romans 8:28 ] then we shall experience God’s peace in our heart and be able to sleep during the storms of life.

When Jesus slept in the stern He was in the place of control where the rudder is. This reminds us that God is always in control even though we cannot understand His thoughts and ways. [ Isaiah 55:8 ] He is certainly not an arsonist trying to destroy us but He is a refiner who wants to purify and strengthen our faith. Because Jesus was God He could have walked away from the boat across the waves, but He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. [ Hebrews 13:5 ] This means that if we can sincerely say, “The Lord is MY shepherd,” then even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death He will still be with us and we need fear no evil: but shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. [ Psalm 23 ]