2026 Christmas Gift Guide
2026 Christmas Gift Guide
A Devotional for Those in the Midst of Trial
The following is a devotional reading from Immanuel: The Story of Jesus, God with Us, a beautifully illustrated book filled with the dramatic art of Robert Doares accompanied by Scripture and brief devotional insights from bestselling author Paul David Tripp.
Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. —Mark 6:45–52
Immanuel
Paul David Tripp
Fifty-two museum-quality illustrations, with accompanying devotions from Paul David Tripp, brilliantly depict the life, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ.
Reflection
Notice the very first words of this story: “Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat” (Mark 6:45). Jesus, knowing the future and being in complete control of the weather, put the disciples in the boat and sent them into a storm. The storm is exactly where Jesus wants them to be. The disciples didn’t make a foolish decision. They’re not being punished for their disobedience.
In fact, the complete opposite is true. They are in the middle of the storm precisely because they were obedient to the command of Christ. So why did Jesus send them out in the boat into the storm? Isn’t he a God of love and compassion? Isn’t he meant to protect and provide for us? Why would he expose his disciples to apparent danger, sending them into a situation beyond their strength, wisdom, and ability?
We must preach the theology of uncomfortable grace to one another: God will take you where you haven’t intended to go in order to produce in you what you could not achieve on your own. God’s grace is not always a cool drink or a soft pillow, but it’s always grace. The grace of Jesus sometimes comes in uncomfortable forms, but it is never a sign of his inattention or unfaithfulness. It’s always the grace of personal transformation for his glory and our good.
This article is adapted from Immanuel: The Story of Jesus, God with Us by Paul David Tripp.
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