Dock Faith

Matthew 8:23-27

“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.” (Matthew 8:23, ESV)
When Jesus got into the boat all were safe, the boat was tied to the dock, and his disciples had no problem hopping on board, and when you ask Jesus into your life where was the boat of life parked, was it safely secured at the dock, or was it in protected waters?  A question must be asked of us, is Jesus aware of the turbulent waters outside of the safe harbor of our life? 
“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.” Verse 24 gives an account of what life is like with or without Jesus in the boat, storms are always out in the open waters of life, and most come without notice.  But God, have you acquired a love for those two words?  God was not sleeping, for Scripture tells us in Psalms 121:1-4, Jesus the man was doing what all men do when sleepy, He slept, but Jesus the God man was totally aware of all that was happening.  “ I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

When the storms come and they will come, how important is it to understand who is in the boat, and to believe He tells the truth; He is truth.  This is Matthew’s account of what happen next; “And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”  These disciples had “dock faith, safe water faith” but when in the storm they forgot that the Creator of all life was in the boat with them.  And this has been written for those disciples and for us; in Deuteronomy 31:8, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”  You and I should recall these words of Jesus in what is referred to as the “Great Commission,” “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)  Now that is a great guarantee, for whoever will by faith put their faith in Jesus Christ.  As believers, our Lord has promised that storms will come in this life, we should hold on to John 17:23, “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”  Folks, for the storms to come they must be allowed by the Father, and go through the Son to get to us, but God is faithful and He will be in the boat with us in the worst of storms.  When they ran to Jesus in the middle of the storm, “He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.”  

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice