February 8

35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.

36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the

ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, cares: thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

This storm arose while the disciples were following their Master. Christ commanded them to pass over to the other side of the sea. The way of obedience leads through many a scene of boisterous trouble. So it is on the sea of life. Storms in the voyage—even when sailing according to the Master's orders.

"If storms and darkness come, remember that there is a Christ in every ship that sails the Lake of Gennesaret. We have a Christ in our ship; and when He seems to be asleep, and fears begin to rise, speak to Him, and He will take command not only of the ship, but of the troubled sea, and of the angry waves, and there shall be a calm."—H. W. Beecher.

"What a calm there was on the Lake of Gennesaret when Jesus uttered the omnific word, 'Be still!' The stormy winds were hushed and the restless waves sank to rest. So when Jesus speaks with almighty energy to a disquieted, tempest-tossed soul, there is an inward calm that is indescribable."—Guide to Holiness.

Closet Promise.—He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.—Psalm cvii. 29.

"The storms of the sea touch but its surface. Beneath the waves that wreck the strongest ships there is a depth where the soft-flowered mollusc palpitates, and the delicate shell and tinted sea-blossoms float in perfect repose. Time is the surface of the ocean, eternity the depth; and even now eternity may begin in the soul amid the tempests of time. Letting the anchor down into it gives a share in its calm."—Rev. J. Ker.