The disciples had followed Jesus into a little boat and out onto the Sea Galilee. Suddenly a huge storm arose and the waves threatened to swamp the boat. Meanwhile, Jesus was calmly sleeping. Terrified, Jesus’ disciples woke up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” To their utter amazement, Jesus uttered two rebukes, one to them for their fear, and another to the wind and the waves, which immediately settled into a great calm. Why did Jesus speak so harshly to these frightened men? Did they not have cause to be afraid? Was He simply annoyed that they woke Him up from a rest which He obviously desperately needed after His strenuous labors? Should He not have commended them for their obvious confidence that He could save them from drowning? What is going on here? Perhaps the key lies with the presence of the Lord in their little boat, into which He had led them out into the deep waters. Despite the raging gale and crashing billows, He slept soundly in the tossing craft and soaking waters. Maybe He wanted them to realize that if they followed Him, they would be safe – not from trouble, but from ultimate danger. If they thought He had the power to rescue them from capsizing, they should have known that His very presence was their guarantee of safety. How like them we are! We allow the gales of life to scare us into thinking that Jesus is “asleep” – unaware of our difficulties and even danger. He seems so far away, so unconcerned with our problems and perils. We even complain when He doesn’t seem to care enough about our troubles to deliver us from them. Who knows? If they had waited a bit longer, maybe Jesus would have awakened on His own and stilled the storm. Perhaps the tempest would have quieted down as quickly as it had arisen. Lacking faith in the security of their proximity to Christ, they panicked. Friends, let us remember the words of Paul, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).