June 18: Insight Post by Rusty Coram

  -   June 18, 2025

Jesus is Present in the Storms of Life: In this story, Jesus walks towards the disciples during a storm, reminding us that He is present even in the most difficult circumstances. No matter how chaotic life becomes, we can trust that Jesus is with us.

Wednesday Verse

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

Wednesday Questions

How can I remind myself of Jesus’ presence in the storms of life? What steps can I take to trust Him more during difficult times?

Wednesday Insight Post
by Rusty Coram

The event described in our reading this week is utterly fascinating. Jesus has sent His friends away in their boat, and He stays behind to dismiss the crowd that came to hear Him teach and then to spend some time praying privately. Here is a glimpse of Jesus’ priorities – He cared about the crowd and wanted them to get safely home, and He also cared about time alone with His Father and staying vitally connected in prayer. Simple things, but they give us a window into the heart of the one who is our model.

While away from His disciples, Jesus sees that they are in trouble. From Mark, we see that He intended to walk past them on the water (Mark 6:48) and meet them on the other side, but while they were rowing and fighting the storm, they saw Jesus on the water. Of course, they were terrified seeing something/someone standing on the water! But beyond this, I wonder if the sighting wasn’t more. I’m speculating here, but I wonder if some of the disciples hadn’t been complaining (at least internally) that if Jesus were with them, then the storm wouldn’t have happened. He was safe on land while they had to fight the waves and wind. Now they were in trouble, and where was He?! Jesus showing up like He did would be an indelible memory for them all. Their feelings were based on limited information. All they saw was the storm and danger, and this fed their feelings. But equally true was Jesus’ awareness of their situation and His capacity to be with them and take care of them.

Later on, most of His disciples would face serious persecution as they told others about their risen Savior and Leader. They will be jailed, beaten, and some killed at the hands of those who want to silence them. I imagine that the time when they were caught in the storm and Jesus came would remind them to rely on faith in the one who came for them rather than the feelings of the moment.

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) reminds us…

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor

New Hope Church
Lorton, Virginia
www.newhope.org