ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (AUGUST 25, 2012)

Fear vs. Faith

Matthew 8:23-27


"Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!'"
(Matthew 8:24-25)

Most of us aren't too bothered by rainstorms as long as we are sheltered at home, safe and snug. But driving through an intense downpour with zero visibility is another matter.

The disciples experienced the biblical version of driving through a storm when they were in the boat with Jesus. Battling wind and waves - and their own fears - they could not understand how Jesus could sleep through the torrent.

Jesus could rest in the storm because He knew who He was. He knew to whom He belonged. He knew who was in control of and even created that storm. Unlike His disciples, He lived by faith, not fear. Granted, they did not yet fully realize who was in the boat with them. But what's our excuse?

We have the full record of God's written word. We have the historical evidence of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. And like Jesus, we know to whom we belong and who is in control. There's no room for fear when we live by faith, even in life's storms.

INSIGHT
WHAT IS CAUSING YOU TO BE FEARFUL TODAY? LIVE BY FAITH, KNOWING THAT GOD WILL EITHER CALM THE STORM OR HE WILL CALM YOU.

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Jeremiah 3-4
Psalm 105
Romans 1-2

Matthew 8:23-27
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 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.
27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

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