ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (FEBRUARY 18, 2012)

Listening in the Storm
Luke 8:22-25

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
(1 Peter 5:6-7)
As I listened during the night to the furious storm outside, I found myself thinking of the day the disciples made their way across the Sea of Galilee when a sudden squall came up, "swamping" the boat. This must have been quite a storm to churn the water so and put them in such danger. Where was Jesus? Asleep in that same boat! Did He not hear the wind and rain or feel the chilly water? Did He not sense the danger?
I love what happened after they frantically wakened Him: He simply got up, rebuked the wind and watched the raging waters settle. "The storm subsided, and all was calm" (Luke 8:24). But then Jesus asked the men this penetrating question: "Where is your faith?"
Life is filled with terrible storms and their rauc-ous, howling, fearful noise. Sickness, rebellion, deceit, hurt, disappointment, failures, broken trust scream at us. But in the midst of life's storms, Jesus longs for us to have faith that believes He can and will rebuke them, bringing calm. Consider today, 
Where is your faith?
INSIGHT
Squalls on the Sea of Galilee come up quickly, with little warning, like 
the storms in 
our lives. Be prepared to encounter them.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Numbers 31-32
Psalm 77
John 19

Luke 8:22-25
New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Calms the Storm
22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we’re going to drown!"
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

THREE REASONS FOR JOY
The human heart longs for joy, but our experience of it is always temporary and tainted by sin. By contrast, the joy of Jesus is perfect, lasting, and meant to be shared. He offers his joy to us!