The Wind and The Waves Obeyed

The calm waters of the Sea of Galilee.

Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!" Matthew 8:23-27 

Meditate on storms in your life.

 

Have you had storms in your life like Jesus had? Wind and waves. Here and now, if it is windy, it is best to stay off the water. The Columbia River, near where I live, can get good-sized white caps when it is windy. One-time, when I was kayaking with friends, the wind came up and…whoa. The waves were crashing over the bow of each of the kayaks. A bit scary! One of the ladies called her husband, and he came to our rescue as we quickly exited the raging river. The storm roared on, but we were safe on land again.

The disciples and Jesus got into the boat. No storm. Then, suddenly, there was a squall. Although He was sleeping through the noise of that storm, Jesus heard His disciples yelling for help! They were scared that they would die. Jesus reproached them for their lack of faith. He rebuked the wind and waves. Now calm and serene conditions prevailed. Jesus powerfully changed the weather and the life of those disciples. How could He do that? He amazed those men in the boat with His power. The waves and wind obeyed.

As we have “storms” in our lives, we can rely on Jesus to calm those calamities. Just ask Him—and trust Him to answer your prayers. The wind and the waves obeyed Him…and the misfortunes or tragedies of your life are not beyond His power.

What do we learn about Jesus from this story? He is so powerful! His creation…water and wind…still obeys Him. Will you trust Him?

 

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for calming the tragedies of my life. I trust You to continue to bring peace and safety to me, my family, and friends, as we seek to worship You. We’re continually amazed at Your compassion, love, and mercy in our lives.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Psalm 51:12

 

© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.