Topic: How God’s Greatness Removes Fear [RICK WARREN Devotional 8 November 2022]
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How God’s Greatness Removes Fear
BY RICK WARREN — NOVEMBER 8, 2022
FROM BUILDING A BETTER LIFE
“He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’”
Matthew 8:26-27 (NIV)
Any time you’re in a situation you have absolutely no control over, switch your focus to the greatness of God. That’s called worship, and it’s the third antidote for withstanding the potentially devastating winds of life.
During stormy days—when your health is declining, your spouse is unfaithful, or your friends are critical—you have a choice to make. Are you going to worry? Or are you going to worship?
There is a beautiful example of this in the New Testament. Jesus is out in a boat with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee was—and still is—a huge lake, making it easy for storms to come up suddenly. And that’s exactly what happened.
Matthew 8:24-25 says, “Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’” (NIV).
The ship was tossing and turning, but Jesus kept on sleeping. He was at peace; he wasn’t worried. But the disciples were panicked.
Jesus said to them, “‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!’” (Matthew 8:26-27 NIV).
The entire experience left the disciples in awe of Jesus. They had forgotten for a moment who Jesus was. But when they saw him display his power over nature, it turned their focus away from their fear and onto God’s greatness. In other words, the experience made them worship.
Worship is one way to set your sail so that the winds of life drive you in the direction you want to go—toward Jesus. Stormy winds can push you off course and threaten to drown you. Instead, let winds of pain, trauma, and stress drive you to focus on God and set your sail toward him.
What are you afraid of in this season of your life? Whatever it is, with Jesus is in your boat, your boat is unsinkable. He has power over nature—and over everything else.
Talk It Over
- How have storms in your life drawn you to God? When have storms pushed you away from God?
- Describe a time you saw God display his power over nature. How did you react?
- When was the last time you were in awe of Jesus? What were the circumstances?
Will you follow Jesus today?
The Bible says, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 CSB).
Will you trust God to fulfill his promise? Pray this simple prayer: “Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord, from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
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