"But as they sailed, He fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy." [Lk 8:23]

Have you ever felt that Jesus was asleep? Have you ever felt, that in your sojourn here through earth, that your God had forgotten you or was less-than-caring? Perhaps it has even come to pass of late, dear reader, that you have felt less of His presence, and though you have not outwardly said it, have supposed Jesus to be asleep: that is, not caring, even as the disciples said of Jesus who slept in the storm, “master, carest thou not that we perish?” [Mk 4:38] Certainly, from the disciples’ point of view, in the boat, as the storm raged on, Jesus was asleep. For He, in that human body, did grow tired, and it is written, “and He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow.” [Mk 4:38] Therefore, when the storm began to increase and go on, the disciples, presumably because Jesus continued to sleep, accused Him of not caring. The Lord’s incredible peace – a peace which He promises to us – was such that others viewed it as apathy. But the truth of the matter, is that Jesus cared very much for them, and when He awoke at their request, it is recorded,

“And He saith unto them, why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” [Mt 8:26]

It is written in the Psalms,

“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” [Psa 121:3-4]

Though the disciples could not see it, Jesus was always available for their help. God was guarding them, and Jesus was on earth a perfect representation of God’s character. Did not Jesus awake at their first cry and save them? But they saw Him asleep, at peace, and saw themselves astir and troubled, and because He was not like them, they assumed that He did not care. But truly, as the matter stood, Christ Jesus was there always ready for their aid, and so too The Father. For our God never sleeps, but is always watchfully guarding us and ready to help us.

In our lives, it may seem at times that God sleeps. That He doesn’t hear our prayers, or that His aid is far away. But in these times, that is merely our weakness, as The Psalmist also concluded. [Psa 77:10] Though it may feel at times our God is far away, yet He is not; for again, it is written, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” [Psa 46:1]

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