Children are very familiar with this upbeat song taught at our Sunday Schools which they sing with much gusto and enthusiasm:
With Christ in the vessel,
we can smile at the storm (3x)
As we go sailing home.
This is right biblical doctrine that as we sail to our eternal home (heaven) we should never be in fear but we “smile” at storms in our Christian lives because Jesus is always with us and for us.
When Jesus’ disciples called out to Jesus while He was sleeping, “LORD, save us! We’re going to drown!” It seemed to be an innocent cry for help. But Jesus could see that behind this simple straightforward cry, was a much bigger predicament. There was a lack of trust and faith. The disciples were really afraid for their lives. Even when Jesus their Master and Teacher was right there with them, they did not fully comprehend His power to save them.
Jesus has the same sovereignty over wind and waves as did Yahweh. The winds and the waves obeyed Him. As king David the psalmist repeatedly declared the almightiness of God in keeping His people safe. Psalm 104:7 – “But at Your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of Your thunder they took flight;” Psalm 107:29 – “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” We can rely on the Omnipotent power of God to overcome the natural elements to grant safety and give us security over every danger and storm in life. He is in the boat with us – He will not let us down or drown! Storms should not be our fear when we know we can weather it through our lives with Jesus.
To sleep untroubled is a sign of faith in the protective power of God in all circumstances. Leviticus 26:6 – “I will grant peace in the land and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid”. This was a promise to the Israelites that as long as they obey and go where God leads them, they can always lie in peace and not be afraid of the surrounding enemies. “Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand”. The mathematics in this military warfare strategy does not seem to add up. But this is the way of the LORD. He makes the impossible possible and the enemies somehow turned on themselves in a battle.
In all of life’s ups and downs, Christians can be safe and secure because there is hope, we can look around and about ourselves and take rest, for the LORD alone, make us dwell in safety. (Ref. Psalm 4:8, Job 11:18, 19a)
