The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "CALM" for Tuesday, 18 October 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 8:23-27

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "CALM" for Tuesday, 18 October 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 8:23 He boarded the boat, and his talmidim followed. 24 Then, without warning, a furious storm arose on the lake, so that waves were sweeping over the boat. But Yeshua was sleeping. 25 So they came and roused him, saying, “Sir! Help! We’re about to die!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? So little trust you have!” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and there was a dead calm. 27 The men were astounded. They asked, “What kind of man is this, that even the winds and sea obey him?”
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[Jesus] said to them, “Why are you afraid, you people of weak faith?” Then he got up and gave orders to the winds and the lake, and there was a great calm.[Matthew 8:26 (CEB)]
When I finished my exercise regimen, I decided to walk along the beach. At one point I stopped to watch and appreciate the power of a rolling wave as it approached me. I worried I would be soaked by the wave, so I had two options: stay and see what happens, or move back. I decided to stay. Slowly the great wave came toward me, then it receded.
We can feel a similar sense of anxiety when circumstances threaten to overwhelm us. We may feel trapped in an emotional and spiritual whirlwind.
When we allow our anxieties to overcome us, we are like the disciples who were frightened during the storm in today’s reading. They were witnesses to God’s power, and Jesus was among them. Still, their faith failed them. If we learn to depend fully on God’s power, we can remain at peace, knowing that all will be well. Even when we see great waves coming toward us, we can trust that little by little they will recede.
The Author: Eymi Jairon Vásquez Suárez (Dominican Republic)
Thought for the Day: I can have peace and joy when I trust in God.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to rely fully on you when we are overwhelmed by the circumstances of our lives. Amen.
Prayer focus: THE PEOPLE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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