The darling child whom we love
so much lies dead in our arms. J. R. Miller, Daily Bible Readings
in the Life of Christ, 1890. Then he got into the boat, and
his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm
came upon the lake, so that the wave swept over the boat." Matthew
8, 23, 24. Had the disciples put out to
sea without Christ's bidding, they would not have had the same
reason to expect His protection and deliverance. The lesson we
learn here is that storms may arise even when we are in the
plain line of Christian duty. We should not be discouraged
by the difficulty or trouble which comes and conclude that
we are in the wrong path. We see also that Christ's presence
with His disciples does not keep the storms away. There are no
promises in the Bible that Christian people should not have trials.
The gospel builds no high walls around us to break the force
of the stormy winds. Troubles come to the Christian
just as surely as to the worldly man. There are the storms of
temptation. These sweep down with sudden
and terrific power from the cold mountains of this world. Then
there are the storms of sickness, of disappointment, and adversity,
of sorrow, which make the waves and billows to roll over the
soul. On the Sea of Galilee, travellers
say that a boat will be gliding along smoothly over the glassy
surface, unbroken by a ripple, when suddenly, without a moment's
warning, a tempest will sweep down, and almost instantly, the
boat will be tossed upon the angry waves. Just so do many
of life's storms come. Great troubles come when we least
expect them. We may be at peace in a happy
home, at an hour when we think all is calm, Without warning,
the darling child whom we love so much, lies dead in our arms. The friend we trusted, and who
we thought would never fail us, proves false. The hopes cherished
for years wither in our hands, like flowers when the frost comes. The storms of life are nearly
all sudden surprises. They do not hang out danger signals
days before, to warn us. The only way to be ready for
them is to have Jesus with us in our boat.