Tuesday, September 22, 2026

“The Calm During The Storm” (Luke 8:23b-24a)

 

EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 9/22/2026 8:17 PM

My Worship Time                                                             Focus:  “The Calm During The Storm”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                               Reference: Luke 8:23b-24a

            Message of the verses:  “and a fierce gale of wind descended on the lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.  They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!”

            I will see how far we can get on this SD.  Prayers needed for me to help the doctors figure out how to lower my BP.

            John MacArthur writes “All of a sudden the lake’s tranquility was shattered as a fierce gale of wind descended on it.  Lailaps (fierce gale) describes a powerful storm, potentially one with hurricane force winds. Katabaino (descended) is the root of the meteorological term ‘katabatic,’ which refers to winds created by air flowing downhill.  The term accurately describes the storm-producing winds that plunge down the surrounding heights to strike the low-lying Sea of Galilee, as noted above.  Mark added the adjective megas (‘great’) to the noun lailaps (Mark 4:37 ESV), while Matthew described the storm as literally  ‘a great shaking [seismos, from which the English word ‘seismology’ derives on the sea’ (Matt. 8:24).”

( Mark 4:37)

“37  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.”

(Matt. 8:24)

“24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.”

            “Clearly, this was no ordinary storm, but one so severe as to be life threatening.  The massive waves churned up by the powerful winds were breaking over the boat (Mark 4:37) and covering it (Matt. 8:24).”

(Mark 4:37)

““37  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.”

(Matt. 8:24)

“24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.”

“As a result, the boat was filling up with water (Mark 4:37) to the point that it began to be swamped, putting the disciples in grave danger.  Despite the raging storm, with its howling winds and towering waves, Jesus was still peacefully sleeping the rest of complete exhaustion and confident sovereignty in the stern (Matt. 8:24; Mark 4:38).”

(Matt. 8:24; Mark 4:38)

“24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.”

“38  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

“While chaos and pandemonium raged all about Him, He remained untroubled in the storm, calmly asleep.

            “The disciples, on the other hand, were panic stricken.  Since many of them were fishermen, used to the lake and its treacherous weather, they understood how strong a storm their boats could endure and knew that their survival was threatened by this one.  Desperate and terrified, fearing for their lives, they came to Jesus and wok Him up, saying ‘master, Master, we are perishing!’  Matthew’s account says they called Jesus ‘Lord’ (Matt. 8:25, while Mark notes that they addressed Him as ‘Teacher’ (Mark 4:38). Far from being contradictory, as some skeptics imagine, the gospel writers’ accounts accurately reflect the chaos and confusion that reigned on that stormy night.  This was not orderly, organized delegation calmly presenting their petition to Jesus, but rather a panicked mob facing imminent death.  Thus some cried out, ‘Lord,’ some ‘Teacher,’ and others Master.  The disciples had witnessed the Lord’s power over disease, demons, and death.  Some of them had seen His power to control the fish in the Sea of Galilee (Luke 5:5-9). But could He control the enormous power of wind and water?”

(Luke 5:5-9)

“5  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6  And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8  But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9  For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,”

            “With no human solution available, they came to the One who had demonstrated divine power in the past.  Perhaps some of the disciples remembered Psalm 65:5-7:

“O God of our salvation,

You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;

Who establishes the mountains by His strength,

Being girded with might;

Who stills the roaring of the seas,

The roaring of their waves.

Or Psalm 89:9:

You rule the swelling of the sea;

When its waves rise, You still them.

Surely someone recalled Psalm 107:23-31:

23 ¶  Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; 24  they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep. 25  For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26  They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight; 27  they reeled and staggered like drunken men and were at their wits’ end. 28  Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 29  He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. 30  Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31  Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man!”

“In their time of desperate need, the disciples appealed to the One who alone could save them.”

Spiritual Meaning for my Life today:  That is exactly what I am doing with the high blood pressure that I am expressing.

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Trusting the Lord will answer the many prayers that are going up to Him about the difficult things that me and my family are facing at this time.

9/22/2026 9:07 PM



 

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