They Were Caught Without Warning

“Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him!’

Notes from the Life Application Study Bible, Third Edition

The Sea of Galilee is an unusual body of water. Although relatively small (13 miles long and 8 miles wide), it is 150 feet deep at its deepest point, and the shoreline is about 690 feet below sea level. Sudden storms can appear over the surrounding mountains with little warning, stirring the water into violent 20-foot waves. These experienced fishermen had not foolishly set out in a storm. They were caught without warning, and their danger was very real.

Although the disciples had witnessed many miracles, they panicked in this storm. As experienced sailors, they knew its danger; what they did not know was that Jesus could control the forces of nature.

We often encounter storms in our lives where we feel God can’t or won’t work. When we truly understand who God is, however, we will realize that he controls both the storms of nature and the storms of the troubled heart. Jesus’ power that calmed this storm can also help us deal with the problems we face. And he is with us. Jesus is willing to help if we only ask him. We should never discount his power even in terrible trials.

21 thoughts on “They Were Caught Without Warning

  1. I love to remember that he is the peacemaker, storm calmer that HE HAS ALL POWER , to calm my trouble mind and heart. I’m in fear this morning, because I’m home in bed with a cold and a cough and immediately my head goes to : oh is this going to get worse am I okay , do I need to get tested . Thank you for this passage in the Bible. Today it is my choice to believe that God has me in the palm of his hand. I need to constantly turn this fear over to him and not allow the enemy to destroy the beauty of today.

  2. Yes I myself believe in the power of God!! I saw God’s hands moved when two cars crushed and the impact of one car to come to hit my car , a few meters to hit me .. God hand 🖐 moved and the car stopped right in of my car. Without a touching my car. God is mighty 🙏🏾🙏🏾

  3. I want the kind of faith that would have crawled beside Jesus and tried to take a nap beside Him. Could you imagine the inner battle, the questions from the other disciples, but yet making the choice to not crumble under the fear and turmoil and instead deciding to get close to Jesus on the boat and do what He was doing? Since God is who He said He is, my prayer is that we all abide in Him and learn that He takes care of His own, especially in the face of COVID-19.

    1. Your first line here gripped me in a way I haven’t felt in the past few days; I feel like writing a little story on it, so thank you! More faith is really all we need… defiant, reckless faith! I want enough of it to not look at the world’s despairing reports, and enough that people around me get infected by the confidence it brings in me.

  4. David Swan Kothapalli

    I know my compassionate God who can saves us from this Corona. It’s like Goliath to many, but it’s not me. Not because of my great faith. Because I experienced His Care and Concern. 28 years back when there is no medical care for heart disease in India. I prayed God to heal me. He miraculously done lot to heal and kept me healthy till now without any Medical care, still no complications.

    He is Healer. Sustainer of our lives. He only can eliminate Corona from this earth. It’s every Christian’s duty to pray. Prayer is Greatest thing than every human effort.

    God bless us all by removing Coronavirus from this earth.

  5. God got us covered, we don’t have to be fearful of the storm that is over taken our country. In psalms 91:4 , tells us that like a hen covering her little chicks under her wings , that’s how God covered us with the blood of His Son . Fear is a natural way that all humans respond when we are face with something that is beyond our control, but we as children of the most high God, we don’t have to be fearful, because He promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us . So we either trust His promised or live in fear of the current crisis at hand , this is the choice we have to make . We need to stop focusing on what the news media said, and start focusing on God’s promised. Hebrews 12: tells us to fixed our eyes on Jesus . Don’t make the Coronavirus bigger than our God . 😱❤️🙏

    1. Indeed this is a time we have to prove to the world that there’s a God who is the creator of the universe and all things therein and control’s everything. There’s a an adage that “When a problem comes don’t look at the situation but rather look at the solution”…and we all know that God is the problem solver 🙏🙏 . Please let’s not be afraid, let’s lift God up and he’ll draw all men to himself. For this is the time God wants to prove to the world that all Powers belongs to him 🙏🙏.

  6. Jesus Christ blood is the sign on our door post that cover us. Believe and stand upon HIS words🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

  7. Thank you to all who post words of faith and encouragement. To be reminded of God’s power and faithfulness has been a timely reminder to me of where I need to focus. To have the faith to crawl in beside Jesus as he slept admidst the storm is so poignant … a visual comfort in these times of great turmoil, fear, anxiety and separation from both biological and church families. Thank you for your faithfulness.

  8. I have been encouraged by all of the comments and testimonies. I decided to turn off the news and quiet my mind.I believe God’s calling all of us to draw closer to Him,to seek His face, to rest in His word,to know Him in a better way. The Word of God tells us to “Be still and know that I am God”. If we keep our minds stayed upon Him he will give us perfect peace.God bless all of you and God bless America .

    1. Psalm 121:1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

      Psalm 46:1 GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

      2 Timothy 1:7. For GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

      I pray that these scriptures, will bring comfort to you as they have me!!!

  9. My faith is rekindled with Jesus by my side and within me. All we need is look into Jesus and be still and all Covid 19 is gone at an instant. Ohoo Lord increase my faith and calm this storm. Amen

  10. Do not be afraid of anything instead pray about everything. For who are we to be fearful of but HE who owns the power and the glory. Our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. My Rock, my Redeemer, my High Tower… The Horn of my Salvation. So Let’s all Rejoice, Rejoice in the name of JESUS. Be with us my Lord ,Fill us with your presence, your love and grace. Help calm our racing thoughts and worried minds. Keep us still and know that you are GOD. Give us the strength to be brave, to be confidence and to have faith that you will never leave us nor forsake us. We give you all the praise and glory now and forevermore in the name of Jesus amen. 🙏🏽🙏🏽

  11. Good morning all. I’m very thankful for the scripture and commentary today. I am a Christian and have been for many years, and I began to become anxious about COVID-19 and its spread. Much like Adriana’s (above post), I began coughing, slight headache, and such and was slightly fearful and thought maybe I should get tested, but I just kept praying. As I read this morning’s scripture, I became emotionally overwhelmed when I read “Then Jesus got into the boat” and “why are you afraid.” I am reminded that as a Christian, there will be times when I am fearful or anxious, and I have to acknowledge those emotions, but I don’t have to live in that space. Jesus gets into the boat with me and He knows His introverted, Christian daughter (me), needs Him. He has calmed the storm in me and reminds me that He is my stability in a time of trouble (Isaiah 33:6). I’m thankful I can be honest with Him about how I’m feeling. He knows how I feel and He knows what I need. I am pleased that He has comforted me this morning…it is well with my soul. Thanks for letting me share.

    1. Thank you for sharing this! I love that image of Jesus getting in there right beside us! Praying for your health!

  12. Please find the song “Don’t Be Afraid” written by Roger Bennett of The Cathedral Quartet.
    You will be blessed. <

  13. I found this listed on Facebook by someone smarter than myself, and it speaks volumes to me! This looks at COVID-19 as an acronym which stands for Christ Over Viruses & Infectious Diseases (Joshua) 1:9
    Have I not commanded you?
    Be strong and courageous.
    Do not be afraid;do not be discouraged,
    for the Lord your God will be with you
    wherever you go.
    No God ,no peace…
    Know God ,Know Peace!…

  14. Thanks for sharing this piece. In times such as these, even though we might have read about such scriptures in the past, we still need someone to remind us about the peace of God. He is in this storm with us just as he was with the disciples, and He will calm it down.
    I am a healthcare worker in a sub acute unit. I received a call last night that one of my colleagues has tested positive to COVID-19 so there is the possibility of exposure to some of us who have worked on the floor. I am calm, I have been calm from the beginning of all these, trusting that God is my protector as outline in Ps 91. We can only be careful and follow all protocols, but then God is our protector.
    Please remember my colleague and all healthcare workers (Dr., RN, CNA, Paramedics etc) in your prayers in this difficult time in healthcare.

    1. Praying for you all! Thank you for all you are doing to bring Christ’s love during this crisis. You are so appreciated!!

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