Wind and Waves: Trusting Jesus Through Life’s Storms

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Knows Our Storms and Has a Purpose

There is no moment in your life that is wasted with God; every storm, every trial, and every hardship is known by Him before it even begins. Sometimes, we find ourselves in difficult situations not because we have done something wrong, but because Jesus Himself has led us there for a reason. In the midst of the disciples’ storm, Jesus knew exactly what they would face and allowed it so they could learn more about His glory, His presence, and their need to trust Him. When you feel overwhelmed or question why you are facing hardship, remember that God is not surprised by your circumstances—He is using them to teach you, shape you, and draw you closer to Himself. [09:21]

Mark 6:45-46 (ESV)
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you realized, after the fact, that God used a difficult situation in your life to teach you something about Himself? What might He be trying to teach you in your current storm?

Day 2: The Lord Sees You in Your Struggle

God’s care is not distant or detached—He sees you intimately, even when you feel invisible or forgotten. Just as Jesus saw the disciples straining at the oars in the middle of the night, He sees every detail of your struggle, your exhaustion, and your pain. The God who saw Hagar in her distress and called Himself “the God who sees me” is the same God who watches over you with compassion and love. You are never out of His sight, and your suffering is never unnoticed. In your darkest moments, remember that the Lord’s eyes are always upon you, and His heart is full of mercy. [28:38]

Mark 6:47-48 (ESV)
And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them.

Reflection: When you feel unseen or overlooked, how does it change your perspective to know that God sees every detail of your struggle? What would it look like to rest in His watchful care today?

Day 3: Jesus Cares Deeply and Draws Near in Our Fear

When the disciples were terrified and powerless, Jesus did not pass them by—He came to them, walking on the very waves that threatened to overwhelm them. The Lord is moved by our cries and our fear; He never abandons those who call out to Him. Even when we forget His promises or let fear control us, Jesus draws near, speaks peace, and brings His presence into our chaos. The storms of life may not always cease immediately, but His care is constant, and His presence makes all the difference. He invites us to call upon Him, to reach out in faith, and to trust that He will not pass us by. [38:59]

Mark 6:49-51 (ESV)
But when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded.

Reflection: Is there a place in your life where you have been afraid to call out to Jesus, thinking He might pass you by? What would it look like to invite Him into that situation today?

Day 4: God’s Love Is Personal—He Loves You as His Own

It is easy to believe that Jesus loves others, that He cares for the multitudes, but sometimes we struggle to believe that He loves us personally, especially when we feel unworthy or distant. The same compassion Jesus showed to the crowds, He extends to each of His followers. Even when we have failed, wandered, or feel far from Him, His love remains steadfast. Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, God runs to embrace us, declaring us His beloved children. His banner over you is love, and He delights to call you His own. [44:15]

Luke 15:20-24 (ESV)
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Reflection: In what ways do you find it easier to believe that God loves others more than He loves you? How can you receive and rest in His personal love for you today?

Day 5: Faith in the Storm—Do You Believe?

After all the miracles and demonstrations of Jesus’ power and love, the disciples still struggled to believe that He would care for them as He did for others. The Lord’s question to us in the storm is not just “Do you know I care?” but “Do you believe?” Faith is not just acknowledging God’s power, but trusting that His love and strength are for you, right now, in your situation. When we believe, we find that Jesus brings us through the storm, sometimes in ways we could never expect. He is calling you to trust Him—not just for others, but for yourself. [44:58]

John 6:16-21 (ESV)
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to believe that Jesus will show up for you personally? What step of faith can you take today to trust Him in that area?

Sermon Summary

This week, as we honor those who have served our country, we are reminded of the power of sacrifice and the reality that every person faces storms in life. No one is exempt from suffering, and often, the depth of our struggles is hidden from those around us. We may put on a brave face, but beneath the surface, many are rowing against fierce winds and waves. The story from Mark 6, where Jesus sends his disciples into a storm, is a vivid picture of our own journeys through adversity. The disciples found themselves in a place of obedience, yet still encountered hardship. This reminds us that following God does not guarantee a life free from trouble, but it does mean that our trials are never wasted—God always has a purpose in what we endure.

In the midst of the storm, the disciples felt alone and distant from Jesus, just as we often do when life becomes overwhelming. Yet, even when we feel abandoned, God is present, interceding for us, and watching over us with compassion. Our feelings of isolation must bow to the truth of God’s promises: He will never leave us nor forsake us. Whether our distance from God is due to obedience or wandering, His love remains steadfast. Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, God waits for us with open arms, ready to restore us no matter how far we have strayed.

God not only knows about our struggles—He sees us intimately. His gaze is not distant or indifferent; He sees our exhaustion, our pain, and our tears. Just as He saw Hagar in her distress and met her with comfort and provision, He sees each of us in our darkest moments. The very things that threaten to overwhelm us can become the pathway for Jesus to enter our lives in a new and powerful way. When we cry out to Him, He draws near, bringing peace and stillness to our chaos.

Ultimately, the question is not just whether God knows, sees, or cares, but whether we believe. Do we trust that the same compassion Jesus showed to the crowds is available to us personally? The disciples marveled at Jesus’ miracles for others but struggled to believe He would do the same for them. We are invited to move beyond admiration to personal faith, trusting that His love and power are for us, even in the fiercest storms. As Jesus passes by, He waits for us to call out, to reach for Him, and to believe that He is with us, making all things new.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Presence in Our Storms Even when we feel alone or distant from God, He is present and interceding for us. Our feelings of abandonment do not reflect the reality of His faithfulness. In the darkest moments, we are invited to trust His promise that He will never leave us, allowing our faith to override our emotions. [18:39]
2. God Sees Us Intimately God’s awareness of our struggles is not abstract—He sees the details of our pain, exhaustion, and heartache. Like Hagar, who discovered God as “the One who sees me,” we can find comfort in knowing that we are never invisible to Him. His compassionate gaze brings hope and assurance in our most vulnerable moments. [28:38]
3. Our Suffering Can Become God’s Pathway The very circumstances that threaten to undo us can become the means by which Jesus enters our lives more deeply. The wind and waves that terrify us are the same elements Jesus walks upon to reach us. When we cry out, He draws near, transforming our chaos into a place of encounter and peace. [31:12]
4. Faith Is the Key to Experiencing God’s Care God’s love and power are not just for others—they are for us. The challenge is to move from knowing about His compassion to believing it for ourselves. When we trust that He cares for us personally, we open ourselves to His presence and provision, even when we do not understand the outcome. [44:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:19] - Honoring Veterans and Sacrifice
[01:37] - Introduction to Mark 6: Jesus and the Disciples
[03:34] - The Universality of Life’s Storms
[05:33] - The Hidden Depth of Our Struggles
[06:15] - The Disciples’ Storm: A Picture of Our Trials
[07:19] - Four Questions in the Storm
[08:52] - Does God Know What I’m Facing?
[10:57] - Feeling Distant from God
[13:41] - Personal Story: Loneliness and Failure
[17:58] - Discovering God’s Presence in Rejection
[19:36] - The Prodigal Son: God’s Restoring Love
[22:48] - Jesus’ Experience of Distance on the Cross
[24:21] - Does God See Me?
[26:54] - Hagar and the God Who Sees
[29:19] - Does God Care? Jesus Walks on the Water
[31:12] - Suffering as a Pathway for God’s Presence
[33:05] - Jesus Responds to Our Cry
[34:58] - Be of Good Cheer: Jesus’ Words of Comfort
[39:47] - Do I Believe? The Call to Personal Faith
[44:15] - Jesus’ Love: For Others and For Us
[46:54] - Invitation to Respond and Seek God

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Mark 6:45-52 (ESV) — 45 Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Genesis 16:13 (ESV) — So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Luke 15:20 (ESV) — And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Observation Questions

In Mark 6:45-52, what did Jesus do after sending the disciples ahead in the boat, and what was his physical location compared to theirs during the storm? ([02:17])
According to the sermon, what details does Mark give about how Jesus saw the disciples in the storm? What does this tell us about his awareness? ([25:05])
In the story of Hagar (Genesis 16), what new name does she give to God, and why? ([28:01])
When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, what was their initial reaction, and how did Jesus respond to them? ([03:16])

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that Jesus “made” the disciples get into the boat, knowing a storm was coming. What does this suggest about God’s purpose in allowing us to face difficult situations, even when we are obeying him? ([08:52])
The pastor shared that our feelings of being alone or abandoned do not always match the truth of God’s presence. Why is it important to let God’s promises override our emotions during hard times? ([18:53])
The story of the prodigal son was used to illustrate God’s response to those who feel distant because of their own choices. What does this story reveal about God’s heart toward us when we return to him? ([21:30])
The disciples marveled at Jesus’ miracles for others but struggled to believe he would do the same for them. Why do you think it’s sometimes easier to believe God’s compassion is for others rather than for ourselves? ([44:15])

Application Questions

The sermon mentioned that everyone faces storms, but we often hide our struggles from others. Is there a “storm” in your life right now that you’ve been keeping hidden? What would it look like to let someone in your small group pray for you about it? ([05:33])
When have you felt distant from God—either because you were obeying him or because you wandered away? How did you respond, and what helped you experience his presence again? ([19:36])
The pastor said, “Our feelings must bow down to what God actually says about us.” What is one promise from God’s Word you need to hold onto this week, even if your emotions say otherwise? ([18:53])
Hagar called God “the One who sees me” in her distress. In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God sees you and cares about the details? ([28:38])
The sermon described how the very things that threaten to overwhelm us can become the pathway for Jesus to enter our lives. Can you share a time when a difficult situation led you to experience God in a new way? ([31:12])
Jesus waited for the disciples to call out before coming to them in the storm. Is there a situation where you need to cry out to Jesus right now, instead of trying to handle it on your own? ([36:48])
The final question from the sermon was, “Do you believe?” What is one area where you struggle to believe that God’s love and power are for you personally? How can your group encourage you to trust him more in that area? ([44:58])

Sermon Clips

There's not a single moment of your life that it's a wasted moment with God. He always uses experiences of life to teach us about himself. And you know, it just so happens that the greatest lessons we'll ever learn about him is in the middle of a storm. Amen. When we come to the end of ourselves, and we have to call upon him for help, there is a purpose in the things that we go through. [00:09:16] (30 seconds) #PurposeInTheStorm

He saw them straining. He saw their faces. He saw the strength sapped out of them. He saw them trying with all their might to row. He saw them in the way that only God can see. They were always on his mind and they were always in his sights. And the same is true for all of us. He sees us. He's always watching. [00:25:38] (25 seconds) #GodSeesYouAlways

How is it that the living God of heaven and earth would look upon me and care for me? How is it that the living one sees me in my time of trouble? Oh, Hagar knew what we all must come to realize. He sees us. The Lord knows where you are today. He sees all that has happened and is happening. He knows you're out of strength. He knows your heartache. He sees your weeping. And your frustration. And his eyes are full of compassion. His heart is full of love. [00:28:33] (34 seconds) #CompassionateEyes

The very thing, the wind and the waves, the very thing crashing against them, the very thing terrorizing them in their life, the very thing that caused them to suffer became a paved walkway for Jesus to enter into their time of need. And you know, I've seen this happen so many times in life. All this falling apart in somebody's life, for whatever reason, the Lord can use that as a pathway into someone's life. [00:30:12] (32 seconds) #StormsBecomePathways

``Jesus never abandons when someone is afraid or when they cry. He never just passes on by without even turning to look. Crying and people who are afraid always capture the heart of Christ. Amen. [00:32:56] (16 seconds) #HeartOfChrist

We who belong to Jesus, it does not mean we're going to escape suffering, but it does mean we have a Savior who is faithful, who is with us and doesn't abandon us, who walks with us. And if need be, he'll carry us as well through every storm. And it's all because he cares. [00:39:29] (25 seconds) #FaithfulThroughStorms

Do you believe I love you? Do you believe I care for you? Do you believe I'm walking with you in the sorrow, in the suffering? Do you believe that my strength will become your strength? Do you believe that my life becomes your life? Do you believe in me? [00:45:16] (22 seconds) #BelieveInHisLove

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