Wednesday, March 19, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Matthew 8
Has there ever been a time when you were so afraid or distressed that you didn’t think God could fix your situation?
Personally, there have been times in my life when I have been paralyzed with fear and doubted that God could get me through. As we read in Matthew 8, Jesus’ disciples also felt fear and anxiety—even when Jesus was with them in the same boat!
In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus and his followers faced a rocky situation. As they were crossing a lake by boat, a great storm struck. The disciples anxiously woke Jesus, who had fallen asleep, and begged him to fix the problem. Within moments, Jesus silenced the entire sea.
If Jesus can calm the wind and the waves, why do we sometimes doubt that he can move in our current situation? As humans, we get lost in worldly matters and forget just how powerful our God is. We serve the God who parts seas and moves mountains!
Matthew 8:26-27
26 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.
27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”
It’s so easy for us to get shaken up by scary circumstances. We all face storms in our lives. Sometimes our storms even seem insurmountable, like there is no way around them, and often there isn’t. Jesus doesn’t promise us that there won’t be storms, but just like with the disciples, he promises to be there with us in the midst of them. And if we lean in and trust him, as the disciples did, Jesus has the power to bring us a great calm in the middle of our difficult circumstances, too.
Despite their doubts, the disciples still took their pleas to Jesus, and showing endless grace, he did not refuse them for their lack of faith. It’s a reminder that we have a God who listens to us and cares deeply about our concerns. We can rest knowing that we serve a personal God who is with us and for us in every situation, and who loves us despite our fears and doubts.
Questions:
How has God shown up during difficult situations in your life?
What personal “storm” do you need to let go of and put in God’s hands?
Next Steps:
This week, think about a current situation you are struggling with and prayerfully surrender it to God, trusting that he is with you in your present circumstances.
Join a Group to connect with likeminded Jesus followers, who will support you as you weather storms and experience doubts.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing me with everything that I need. I place any current difficulties I am facing in your hands, and I trust that you are there with me in my struggles. Just as you calmed the wind and the waves, I know that you can calm the storms in my life. Help me to let go of any doubts that I have been facing and renew my faith in you, knowing that you are working for my good. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Hebrews 4:15
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
This post was written by Isabelle Billnitzer, a Perrysburg attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.