This post is Day 15 in a series of studies about “Suddenly”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Suddenly – Day 15

The disciples were following Him. That is what disciples do: follow their leader! All but one of these disciples were faithful to the end, but none of them ever knew what was going to happen next. When they were on the lake, the last thing they expected was a storm!

Matthew 8:23-24

Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.

The Thought

The disciples were following Him. That’s what disciples do: follow their leader! All but one of these disciples were faithful to the end, but none of them ever knew what was going to happen next, and when they were on the lake, the last thing they expected was a storm!

At least four of these men had made their living on the lake, so they must have been used to storms. They forgot everything they had ever learned about sailing when this sudden storm hit them. They panicked in the light of this “suddenly”!

When we, the modern day disciples of Jesus, get sudden unexpected difficulties, often the first thing we do is panic. This is a good story to remember at times like that. Jesus wasn’t panicking, He was calm enough in Himself to sleep very soundly.

When the disciples woke their master to tell Him they were all going to drown, He reprimanded them for their lack of faith.

Action

Think today about some of the things that make you panic. Sudden illness? Financial difficulties? Surprise visitors? Being lost on the road and not knowing which way to go? Thank Jesus that He has the answer to every problem.

Read Matthew 8 today and ask yourself what you would do in the different situations described in that chapter.

Pray for those you know who are struggling with physical or emotional “storms” at the moment. Ask The Lord if He wants you to help in any specific way, more than just praying.

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