Assurance – Trusting God

As I continued reading through last year’s travel journal I came across the day that my husband and the other men traveling with us went deep sea fishing. I had just finished my morning run on the beach and was watching the waves get bigger and bigger. The guys were out there in those waves and I hoped that they were doing alright. I find the ocean to be very unnerving at times and I feel much better when I’m on solid ground.

I sat down on one of the beach chairs and began my bible study and as only God can do it was called, “Be Still.” The story was in Luke 8:22-25:

One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.  As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

I laughed to myself as read this story because the message felt so alive being right there by the ocean and the waves. Be still. The study reminded me that Jesus had assured them they would reach the other side. It went on to say, “We aren’t guaranteed a storm-free life, but we are assured that He’s in the storm with us. While the storm rages, His power is not at rest. The storm will pass and the clouds will clear.” (Come With me – Suzanne Eller)

In the story Jesus was asleep in the front of the boat. Being a very light sleeper I know that I wouldn’t have been able to sleep, but that’s the point of His message. Trusting Him will bring us the assurance of peace. As we trust Him for the outcome, we can be still and leave our troubles in the hands of the one who created the universe.

Just a few days before this fishing excursion I was in my own storm even though I was on dry ground. I was reminded how Jesus walked the hall with me for the biopsy and that His voice was what brought assurance to me. Be still. Trust me. He calmed my storm and I was in awe of His power just as the disciples were when He stilled the winds and the sea.

The guys returned safely later in the day with stories of all the fish they caught and memories that they still talk about. God is good. His assurance is a gift we receive when we trust Him.

My prayer

Father, thank you for the visual lesson that You gave me. I’m so blessed that You are my teacher and my Prince of Peace. Your assurance gives me so many things and I’m grateful for the reminder that You are with me wherever I go. Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Psalm 100:5 (The Passion Translation)

“For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving that it will amaze you— so kind that it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation!”