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Matthew 8:24 - PEACE IN THE STORM.

Matthew 8:24 (NLT) Suddenly, a fierce storm 
struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. 
But Jesus was sleeping.  

INTRODUCTION

The Sea of Galilee is an unusual body of 
water. It is relatively small (13 miles long, 7 
miles wide), but it is 150 feet deep, and the 
shoreline is 680 feet below sea level. Sudden storms 
can appear over the surrounding mountains with 
little warning, stirring the water into violent 
20-foot waves. The disciples had not foolishly set 
out in a storm. They had been caught without 
warning, and their danger was great. [Life 
Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARLS

Hurricane Grace
   The film The Perfect Storm tells the 
story of an actual storm off the coast of 
Massachusetts in 1991, which was the strongest storm in 
recorded history. This so-called perfect storm was 
the result of three storms that combined into 
one, creating an almost apocalyptic situation in 
the Atlantic Ocean. Two existing storms were hit 
by a hurricane, ironically dubbed Hurricane 
Grace. The combination of these three weather 
elements produced a monstrous, two-thousand-mile-wide 
hurricane that produced one-hundred-foot waves. 
   In Matthew 8 we find a story of Jesus 
disciples facing what could be described as a 
Hurricane Grace of their own. We are told that when 
[Jesus] got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 
And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, 
so that the boat was covered with the waves. 
But He was asleep (verses 23"24). 
   Notice that verse 23 says, His 
disciples followed Him. And where did that lead? 
Right into a storm. This storm came because the 
disciples obeyed the Lord, not because they disobeyed 
Him. Sometimes when troubles come, we say that 
its a result of disobedience. But the fact may 
be that the storm is actually a result of 
obedience. 
   God can use the storms in our lives to 
accomplish His purposes. As the saying goes, the same 
hammer that shatters glass also forges steel. 
Sometimes it seems as though it would be better if we 
never went through a storm. We think life always 
should be easy. But there are things we learn in 
storms. There are things we learn in hardships and 
crises that we dont learn anywhere else. 
   Where there are no trials in life, there 
are no triumphs. God has His purposes in the 
storms. And just as Jesus was with His disciples, He 
will be with us, too. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

   The violent storm didnt awaken Jesus, 
but the cry of His disciples did. In one sense, 
He was asleep, but in another sense, He was 
not, because the Bible says of God, Indeed, he 
who watches over Israel never slumbers or 
sleeps (Psalm 121:4 NLT). 
   This is a beautiful glimpse into the 
humanity and divinity of Jesus. What could be more 
human than sleeping after a long day of work? And 
what could be more divine than rebuking a storm 
and watching it stop a moment later? 
   Jesus told His panicked disciples, Why 
are you afraid? You have so little faith! 
(Matthew 8:26 NLT). This verse goes on to say that 
Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and waves, 
and suddenly there was a great calm. 
   Marks Gospel adds that Jesus said to 
the sea, Peace, be still! (Mark 4:39 
NKJV). A more literal translation of the phrase 
would be Peace, be muzzled! Its as though 
Jesus were speaking to a wild animal. Indeed, 
Jesus was speaking to Satan, who was behind this 
storm. The Devil was trying to stop Jesus from 
reaching His destination. On the other side of the 
lake, Jesus would find two severely 
demon-possessed men, and He would deliver them from their 
suffering. 
   This reminds us that Satan is always on 
duty. He doesnt rest. In fact, the Bible 
describes him as a roaring lion, looking for 
someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). This is the 
reason that a spiritual battle will ensue when you 
try to save someone from Satan and bring them to 
Christ. The Devil doesnt want to let his captives 
go. 
   Jesus didnt promise the disciples that 
the journey would be smooth sailing, but He did 
say, Let us cross over to the other side 
(Mark 4:35 NLT). In the same way, the Bible says 
that God will complete the work He has begun in 
you (see Philippians 1:6). You will reach the 
other side. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Mark 4:37-39 - Even in Storms There is Peace 
in Jesus! 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201105-1045.html 

Philippians 1:6 - Jesus Can Do It! - Will 
You Let Him? 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211110-0842.html 

Philippians 1:6 - Its His Work, Not Ours.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20211128-0955.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/