Trusting God in Troubled Times, Part 3 of 5: IS JESUS ASLEEP? 

Did you ever feel that Jesus wasn’t listening when you asked for help? The storms of life don’t ask us for our timing – just like the disciples on the lake, the storms just show up. If you are a Christian, then those are the times when you turn to Jesus. You want to know that he is with you, and that he will settle things down for you. You want to know that you’re going to be okay.

But life isn’t always like that. Our faith in Jesus is not an insurance policy, that we can cash when we want. What can we learn from the disciples in the boat on the day of that storm?

Firstly, that God is always in charge. God reminds Job that He is always in charge, whatever may happen, and whatever Job may wonder. “Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands?” (Job 38) Psalm 107 shows us how the winds and waves obey Him, and that He answers the cries of the sailors in distress.

Secondly, that Jesus is with us. The outcome of storms may well cause destruction or even death. But He is still with us. His very presence with us is more important than anything else. Romans 8 says that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Remembering that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2) is the foundation of all things, and this foundation can never be shaken.

Thirdly, we know that this same Jesus has also suffered, and actually died for us. He is not above us and our troubles, he enters into this whole world of woe. Jesus takes all pain and sin, suffering and death on Himself, on the Cross. He rises victorious over everything that will ever come against us!

Lastly, His unshakeable presence with us is the source of hope. So we are sure of the outcome. In the end Jesus will triumph over all troubles, when He comes again in glory on the Last Day. And this is our final victory.