“Then He went up into the boat to them and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure and marveled.” Mark 6:51

Beyond Measure

This is the old familiar story of Jesus sending His disciples away in a little boat to cross the sea before Him while He retreats to the mountain to pray. The disciples are obeying. Jesus is praying. And a storm arises to batter the disciples with wind and wave. Their hearts fear.

What were the disciples thinking? Maybe, “Where’s Jesus when you need Him?” Perhaps, “We are overwhelmed. We will die in this storm,” or, “It’s up to us now to save ourselves. We are alone on these seas.”

I have a confession to make. I have made God too small. I have underestimated Him. I have confined and limited Him and forgotten how powerful and how strong He is on my behalf. When the storm came I looked at my own abilities and feared. I may have felt alone, but Jesus had His eye on me from the mountaintop. He was already praying for me. He is sovereign over the storm.

He has empowered me for all He has called me to do. I am strong because He is a big God who does big things. Mark 7:37 says, “And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well’…” Romans 4:17 tells us He calls things that do not exist as though they did.

I have seen Him move and act and heal and deliver and save. He is unlimited and unbound. What He has done in the past, He will do in my today and in my tomorrow. He is a God who does not change. God will do big things. Nothing is impossible to Him.

He comes to me in my little boat. He brings grace to my weakness. He doesn’t take away my weakness—He proves Himself strong in that very weakness. My limitations make me fully dependent on God. Although I chafe against my own limitations, this is the perfect positioning for God to do an astonishing work.

God will do big things. Be astonished. Expect Him.

“Father, when will I believe that You are who You say You are and act like it? You do not fail. You are infinitely bigger and more glorious than I can imagine. I put my trust in You. In Jesus name, Amen.”