A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Restful Confidence"

It was a furious storm. The boat was swamped by the waves sweeping over the sides. The disciples, including the experienced fishermen among them, were sure they were going to drown. Where was Jesus? Asleep. That's right. Mark clearly records it for us in his gospel (4:35-41). He was in the stern of the boat fast asleep. The frightened disciples woke Jesus up shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we are going to drown?" Jesus responded with three simple words, "Quite! Be still!" The wind immediately died down and "it was completely calm." The disciples in amazement looked at each other asking, "Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!"

It must have been an amazing thing for the disciples. Mark notes that "they were terrified"- reverently awestruck! The immediate obedience of the wind and waves to Jesus is truly an awesome event. Yet, as powerful as this miracle was and as revealing of Who Jesus was this account is, there is something else that is really astounding when we look a little closer. Jesus was asleep. There was a furious storm and the boat was swamped, but Jesus was asleep! Was Jesus such a sound sleeper that this violent storm couldn't wake Him? Not likely, because he was easily awakened by the disciples. Was Jesus so exhausted that he could no longer stay awake? Possibly. He gave so fully of Himself in ministering to others that He would have surely been wore out at the end of the day. But in such a storm as this? The disciples, who too would have been weary, were not asleep. How was it then that Jesus could sleep so restfully in the midst of the storm?

Jesus here examples for us restful confidence, peaceful assurance, quiet faith in the Father. We are tempted to say, "Yea, but He's Jesus!" But we must not forget that while in human form Jesus never drew upon His divine power for Himself. He lived His life here on earth faithfully and holy using the same resources that are available to us. That is why both Peter and Paul remind us in their epistles that Jesus is our example. Jesus commanded His disciples not to worry, but to always remember that the Heavenly Father knows our needs and cares for us. (Matthew 6:25-34) After calming the storm Jesus addressed the disciples' fear and faith. They were terrified because they were focusing on the storm rather than God. In fact, they were so focused on the storm that they missed the miracle before them. The boat was swamped but still afloat!

We are such insomniacs. Not that we all have trouble sleeping. We are insomniacs in the way we live. We feverishly rush around being in control and handling everything. We are sure that we are indispensable. We don't have time to rest. Too much to do and so little time. Besides, so many people are depending on us. And we are doing all this to glorify God! But Jesus shows us a different way. We are to live with quiet faith in God. We do, by the power of the Spirit, what needs to be done and then rest in Him. We remember that God is on the Throne and in control. Our restful confidence is not neglectful laziness. It is not careless lethargy. It is the quiet assurance that we have done what we were called and empowered to do and the placing of everything in God hands. Though our efforts may be feeble, God is not hindered or limited by that. We relax and rest because we trust Him. We can lay down on the cushion in the stern of the swamped boat in the midst of a furious storm and sleep!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
Return to Devotional Index