DAILY FOUNTAIN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE Wednesday, January 24
WATCH RESTEEM AND FOLLOW
TEXT: Matthew 8:23-34
- Now when He 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.
- Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
- But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
- So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
- When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30. Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
- So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” 32. And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. 33. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.
Matthew 8:23-34 NKJV
Jesus and His disciples were in a ship, sailing; suddenly, a great wind came, threatening to make the ship capsize. The disciples were afraid. But Jesus was relaxed, sleeping. That is a very instructive scene. The fact that Jesus is on our ship may not immune us from the tempest of life, but with His presence, we are sure there is an extent the devil cannot reach. The winds and the waves obey His will; whether it is the wrath of the storm-tossed sea, or demons, or men, or whatever it is, no waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean, and earth, and skies. They all shall sweetly obey His will.
In the voyage of this life, always ensure that the Lord is in the ship. With His presence, you are safe, whatever may betide you. In your decisions and undertakings this year, in your schemes and plans, let Him be at the centre. When the devil strikes and you call on Jesus, He will come and rebuke the wind for your sake. Therefore, engage His presence and you shall have nothing to fear.
Prayer: Lord, increase my faith to see the sufficiency of your presence in my life.