OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2026
THEME: WHEN HE IS IN THE BOAT I
MEMORISE:
And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
Exodus 33:15
READ: Mark 4:35-41 (KJV)
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, carest 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?
MESSAGE:
Years ago, I travelled to Abonnema in Rivers State, Nigeria, to hold a crusade. At that time, the only way one could get to Abonnema from Port Harcourt, the state capital, was by sea. Shortly before the crusade, we heard that a boat capsized on that sea and many people lost their lives. That news, however, did not deter me, as I had made up my mind to go for the crusade. I called a meeting with the workers at the RCCG National Headquarters in Ebute Metta and asked for volunteers to accompany me. One of the workers raised his hand and asked me, “Sir, can I be in your boat?” I told him that he could. Then he responded, “That will be good.” I asked him why he said so, and he replied that he knew that whatever boat I travelled in would not sink. He had so much confidence in a mere mortal like me because he knew that God is with me.
In today’s Bible reading, the disciples were travelling in a ship with Jesus. After a while, a terrible storm arose, but to their surprise, He remained fast asleep. In fear, they woke Him up, and He stilled the storm. After that, they arrived at their destination safely. This is a testament to the fact that it is a great blessing to have Jesus in the boat of your life!
Beloved, if you are a child of God, Jesus is in your boat as you journey through the waters of life. I know this because He said in Matthew 28:20 that He will be with you at all times. This is why, in the midst of life’s challenges, you must trust the One who is in the boat of your life because He alone has the power to make you victorious. If God is in the boat of your life, no weapon that is fashioned against you will prosper. If you involve Him in every step you take, you can rest assured that all your endeavours will turn out fine. If you have not yet given your life to Christ, surrender completely to Him today and acknowledge Him as the Controller of your life. When you do this, He will not only begin to direct your ways, but He will also walk with you every step of the way as you journey through life.
KEY POINT:
When Jesus is in your boat, you will overcome every storm.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Chronicles 1-2
AUTHOR:
PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 29: WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY
1. When peace like a river, attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
REFRAIN:
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!
4. O Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
