April 21, 2020: SOAP #3792:  1Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1Chronicles 8; Mat 8

Scripture:  Matthew (NIV) 8: 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Observation:  Being with Jesus did not prevent the disciples from going through storms.  Jesus could walk on water, but He did not walk away from his troubled disciples.  The One with the three Hebrew children in the fire stayed with His disciples in the storm.

The storm revealed to Jesus things about the disciples.  They thought everything was over.  “We’re going to drown!” they said, but Jesus only rebuked them for having such little faith.

That same storm revealed some things about Jesus to the disciples!  They gained a new level of respect for Jesus.  “What kind of a man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  He was in the boat all the time!

Application:   Seemingly without warning, the Coronavirus storm has taken over much of the world.  My God is bigger than this storm.  My God is not looking on from a safe distance; He is in “my boat” with me!  I expect to hear testimonies that He is still a healer—even viruses and bacteria must bow at His Name!   I expect to hear of miracles on behalf of businesses whose goals are to serve people and honor God.  I expect to hear of Holy Spirit inspired plans about rebuilding businesses.  I expect to hear of miracles in response to believing prayer outside the church walls.  I expect to hear…

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, I expect to hear testimonies and you expect to hear my praise and worship.   May I be quick and generous in giving you praise! Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!