I grew up in Houston, Texas and I absolutely loved the weather there. Most people don’t! It was hot, humid and full of thunderstorms. It would rain for hours and I would watch the lightning crackle across the sky and the whole sky was grey.

Our image for consideration today is a look at the ocean as a hurricane weakened into a tropical storm and made landfall. I love how dreary and monochromatic this picture is!

In Mark 4, we read this account of Jesus and a storm, “On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”  And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”.

I must admit there have been many “storms” in my life where I wondered if God cared and if He was going to save me. I imagine you can relate! What are some og he storms that you have weathered in your life and faith? Your outlook could have been as hopeless and vacant as the photo.

That makes what Jesus does, and what He says, so very important for today’s devotion: He demonstrates His love and care by being there in the first place! He is with us IN the storm. He isn’t far away!

While Jesus says, “Peace be still!” to the wind and waves, He also has to say it to US sometimes. Sometimes we are the ones that are out of control and need to hear the voice of our Master. My prayer for you today is to listen for our Lord’s voice and to seek Him especially when the seas are rough!