Perfectly Calm

   I love to go to the ocean. I enjoy the sand, sun, and surf.  However, the idea of swimming in the deep parts of the ocean is very unnerving to me.  The idea of that much water beneath me, full of man-eating fish makes my toes curls. 

            Because of that fear I can relate to the disciples fears in Matthew 8:23-27. The scripture states, “When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.  And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”  He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.  The men were amazed, and said, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

            While Jesus was here on earth his body was like man and he became tired and fell asleep. However, he was also perfect and without sin.  He fell asleep on the boat and a great storm arose. The disciples became afraid and cried to Jesus to save them.  And Jesus being fully God and fully man made the storm PERFECTLY CALM. 

            In Matthew Henry’s Commentary he says, “Those who are passing with Christ over the ocean of this world, must expect storms.” I love that. As we journey through life storms WILL come. And sometimes it may seem like our Lord is sleeping. The pulpit commentary says, “The winds and waves were mastering their souls as well as their bodies.”  But we don’t have to let that happen to us!

            Psalm 121:4 says, “Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”  Our God is NEVER sleeping. He is not bound to an earthly body.  He is fully awake to all the storms raging around this world.  We in our earthly and anxious minds often doubt that truth. We see bad things happen and wonder where God is; we may not ever understand the storm, but we can trust the TRUTH.  When it is time the Lord will rebuke the winds and the sea, and it will become Perfectly Calm. 

*“For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

*“Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.” Philippians 2:16

*“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.” Philippians 1:10

* “For it is written, "AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD." Romans 14:11

There is coming a day,

When no heart aches shall come,

No more clouds in the sky,

No more tears to dim the eye,

All is peace forever more,

On that happy golden shore,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,

When my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face,

The One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand,

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

There'll be no sorrow there,

No more burdens to bear,

No more sickness, no pain,

No more parting over there;

And forever I will be,

With the One who died for me,

What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,

When my Jesus I shall see,

And I look upon His face,

The One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand,

And leads me through the Promised Land,

What a day, glorious day that will be

Hymn by: Jim Hill