Episode Overview:
Title: Calming the Storm | Audio Reading | Our Daily Bread Devotional | October 21, 2025
Host: Our Daily Bread Ministries
Theme:
This devotional episode focuses on Mark 4:35-41, the biblical story of Jesus calming the storm, and explores how believers can experience peace and deeper faith during life’s storms. The reading encourages listeners to trust Jesus with childlike faith, even amid fear and uncertainty.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Scripture Foundation
-
Reading: Mark 4:35-41 (00:22 – 01:33)
The passage describes Jesus and his disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee when a violent storm arises. Jesus, asleep on a cushion, is awakened by the terrified disciples who fear for their lives. He rebukes the wind and waves, commanding, "Quiet, be still," and the storm ceases."Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
— Jesus (00:00 & 01:27, Mark 4:40)
2. Childlike Faith in Practice
-
Illustration of Trust: The devotional recounts a story where the writer’s three-year-old niece prays calmly during a thunderstorm, expressing trust that Jesus is present and will stop the storm (01:37 – 01:58).
"Dear Jesus, I know you’re here with us. I know you love us and I know that that storm will stop when you tell it to stop."
— Writer’s niece (01:43) -
Connection to Scripture: This period of trust reflects how the disciples failed to recognize Jesus’s authority during chaos, contrasting with the unfiltered faith of a child.
3. Application for Listeners
-
Living with Awe and Trust:
The devotional encourages listeners to recapture the awe the disciples felt and to see their fears through the lens of Jesus's power (02:13 – 02:35).“What if we could live today with the awe the disciples felt in that moment? What if we could view every concern with a fresh awareness of Jesus’ authority and power? Maybe then our childlike faith would chase away our fear.”
— Narrator (02:22) -
Jesus's Sovereignty:
Every storm, literal or metaphorical, is subject to Jesus's command.
4. Prayer for Faith and Presence
-
A closing prayer asks for trust equal to that of a child and for a greater awareness of Jesus’s presence and authority amid fears (02:36 – 03:16).
“Jesus, help us face our storms with the same trust a child has, believing you are right here with us and that even the wind and waves listen to your voice.”
— Narrator (02:39)
5. Reflective Questions
-
The episode concludes with prompts for personal meditation (03:31 – 03:45):
- “What are the barriers to faith in your life?”
- “How can you recapture a sense of wonder of Jesus?”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Mark 4:40:
"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
— Jesus (00:00, 01:27) -
On Childlike Faith:
"Maybe then our childlike faith would chase away our fear."
— Narrator (02:32) -
On Presence in the Storm:
"Believing you are right here with us and that even the wind and waves listen to your voice."
— Prayer (02:40)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00: Opening quote from Mark 4:40
- 00:22 – 01:33: Full reading of Mark 4:35-41 — Jesus calms the storm
- 01:37 – 01:58: Personal story of childlike faith during a thunderstorm
- 02:13 – 02:35: Encouragement to view fears through Jesus’s authority
- 02:36 – 03:16: Closing prayer for trust and divine awareness
- 03:31 – 03:45: Reflective questions for listeners
Final Takeaways
- The episode invites listeners to approach life's storms with faith, remembering Jesus's authority over even the most chaotic situations.
- It draws a compelling comparison between the disciples’ fear and a child’s simple, trusting prayer, challenging adults to reclaim that perspective.
- Reflection is encouraged on removing barriers to faith and restoring a sense of wonder at Jesus’s presence and power.
This devotional reading provides a gentle, hope-filled reminder to trust in God's sovereignty, encouraging listeners to see beyond their fears and find peace in His presence.