URC Daily Devotion Thursday, 27 November 2025
St Matthew 8: 23 – 27
And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. A gale arose on the lake, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him up, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We are perishing!’ And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you of little faith?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. They were amazed, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?’
Reflection
Jesus always seemed to be on the way somewhere. Some times walking, some times in a boat. Several of the disciples were fishermen so we aren’t surprised by this mode of travel. What is surprising here is the fear of the disciples in the boat. Either they didn’t calculate the weather properly or the storm was much fiercer than they expected. The waves were crashing into the boat. The disciples were overwhelmed with fear.
In contrast, Jesus was peacefully asleep. They had to wake him. When they did, he calmed the storm. The chaos of the deep was made safe by the Lord. They ask, ‘who is this man,’ but his actions indicate who he is – God’s chosen one with God’s power.
On our own journeys through life we sometimes find ourselves caught up in surprising storms. We are overwhelmed and feel we are sinking below the waves. It even feels like God is asleep while we feel we are drowning in the cares of our families, our friends, and the problems of the world.
The story affirms that God is not asleep at the wheel of the boat. In Jesus we see that God is the ruler of the wind and rain and the bringer of order to chaos. Jesus’ role in the story enables us to see the presence and power of God. We see Jesus’ connection to God.
We also see that God, as the creator of the universe, is in the boat with us. When the waters are calm, God is there. When the waters are choppy, God is there. Even when we wonder if everyone but us is asleep to the pain and struggles around us, we are assured that God is at work in the life of the world.
Our journey with the Creator continues. May we be present to the Creator’s work and the gift of peace.
Prayer
Creator, we are on our way.
We thank you for being in the boat with us.
When we sail smoothly through life,
we thank you.
When the journey is rough,
we commit ourselves to you.
Help us continue to affirm you and your presence
on this journey of life. Amen.