Journal
I remembered how he guided us through the storm to the marina without visibility, just a flickering light in the distance. I have never been in a storm upon the water in a boat before. It was a beautiful, hot end-of-summer August day. We had some of the family out tubing and swimming.
There’s a favorite swimming beach about 30 minutes from the marina where we dock our boat. The grandkids were playing on the rafts and swimming.
Other boaters were there enjoying the day like us swimming and playing on the beach.
I noticed that one by one, they began pulling out. I asked Brad and My Son-in-law, “Why are they all leaving?” There seemed to be no explanation. We knew within a few seconds because suddenly, the sky that had been so blue with a few white clouds had turned threatening, especially to the west/southwest.
With a sudden drop in temperature, you could see black rolling storm clouds outlining the blue sky. The kids were in the lake swimming and now climbing into the boat. We looked like someone had pushed a fast-forward button, and off we went, so we thought, “Oh great,” we couldn’t get one of the engines to start (Go figure), and the winds were becoming violently intense. With only one engine and being tossed around, our sea legs didn’t hold us well.
Batten Down the Hatches
We secured all hatches and closed the doors, closed the port hole windows to keep water out. We secured gear above and below decks.
Leaving the bay and pulling into the deeper waters, we began to rise and plummet, not just drop. Brad and my Son-in-law, who is a Fireman and is calm in crisis, stayed on the main deck, and my daughter and I and the kids went below.
I never had the desire to burst out and sing,
“Riding the Storm Out” by REO
All I could think of was the disciples above and Jesus asleep where we were here below.
I thought, how would he have slept through waves crashing and the swells of water carrying the boat up and upwards and leaving a hole to fall into?
The winds caused the rain to hit the guy’s skin. They said it felt like rocks being thrown at them.
My son-in-law told me later how bad it was.
Down under in the cabin, it was an experience I will never want to go through ever again.
We, like the disciples, were crying out to the one who has authority over the winds and the waves.
Storm on Galilee
The Sea of Galilee is known for its sudden life-threatening storms. Even today and in the time of Christ, those who labored on Galilee were experienced fishermen and understood everything they needed to know to make a living on this fresh-water lake. As Jesus had pointed out, many of the ordinary weather changes in the land were predictable
Matthew 16:2-3
2 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to discern the appearance of the sky,
It’s an ancient rhyme that has been around for at least 2,000 years; it’s even mentioned in the New Testament.
Red sky at night, sailors’ delight. Red sky in morning, sailors take warning.
But does this ancient rhyme have scientific proof? Yes, it does! In the mid-latitudes, the prevailing wind patterns move west to east. This means that large storm systems also tend to move west to east. Before modern-day forecasting, this rhyme was a helpful way for sailors to predict the weather.
When an approaching storm system is coming in from the west, and there are clear skies over the eastern horizon, the sun can light the underside of the moisture-bearing clouds moving in.
This can lead to a red sky in the morning and often means unsettled weather moving in. When we enjoy seeing the sunset, if we see red skies, the sunlight has a clear path from the west. This typically means that clear skies are a delight and quiet weather is on the way.
Remember that Jesus sent them knowing there would be a storm.
Matthew 14:22
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
Christ’s disciples have the confidence of being called and the security of being sent. Jesus sent the Twelve onto the lake and into the gathering storm. When you face your storms, remember that Christ called you and your Savior sent you.
Mark 4:35-41
Mark 4:35-41 Jesus spoke peace to the violent storm that broke suddenly on Lake Galilee. The storm threatened to sink the boat. The disciples woke him crying, “Lord, save us, we are perishing!”
Jesus is the peace speaker. The raging waves in your life can turn to a still reflection upon your heart at the mention of His name.
When the lake is calm, just like the disciples feel safe enough in the boat. Yet when the violent storm arose upon the lake, the ship offered them no security. Like in our lives, we all have “boats” -things we rely on.
People, Jobs, homes, Social Security, and Insurance Agencies, All forms of transportation so much we rely on each day as we launch out, setting sail crossing the Galilee “to the other side.” Our “boats” (old reliables or new reliables) won’t help us much in the storms of life.
Even people can be unreliable.
Here is what is reliable.
Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.
Deuteronomy 7:9
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentation 7:22-23
Hebrews 13:8
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
Full-scale model of the Jesus Boat on the grounds of the Kibbutz Ginosar on the western shore of the Galilee Lake.
In every life, storms will come. We all need the One; we can call upon the only name that calms every storm—the name of Jesus.
Mark 4:39-41
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
