December 5 – 12, 2025

IS GOD SADISTIC?

Matthew 8:18,24 “[Jesus] gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake… Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat.”

Jesus ordered the disciples into the boat to cross the lake. He knew the storm was coming and how intense it would be. Yet, He ordered them into it. But He didn’t send them alone. Jesus got into the boat with them, knowing where they were heading, knowing into what they were heading. There are two kinds of storms in our lives: those the Lord allows and those into which the Lord knowingly sends us. Is God sadistic? Does He like to watch us suffer? Is God cruel that He would not only allow storms but actually put us in them? No! Then why would He do such a thing? Because of His unconditional love! Jesus knew what was in the hearts of the disciples (vs 26): fear and little faith! 

The Lord loves you too much to allow you to stay the way you are so He lets you (and me) go through storms to expose the enemy’s stronghold, to teach obedience, to increase and elevate your faith, to give you a testimony of how Jesus really WAS there and never DID leave you, to expose secret sin, to bring forth repentance, to bring about the very best in your life, to set you free, to create a warrior for Him, to show you who you are in Him, to bring forth the person He created you to be without spot or blemish! Storms will come and storms will go. But how we react to them is what matters. Jesus wants us to get to the place of John 14:1 (NLT), “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God.”

If we accept these things as God’s choices for us, coming from His loving heart—not out of anger, not out of a desire to punish, but out of His love—we will discover that we can enjoy peace in ALL of life, even the painful parts. We will learn to know God in a deeper way and our attitude toward life will change because of our relationship with Him.

James 1:2 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” We don’t find joy in the trial or the storm itself. We find joy in knowing Jesus Himself is with us in the midst of it, saying, “It’s okay! Jump!”

 

This is an excerpt from a 90-day devotional written by Emil and Karen. To order the full devotional, click on the TO ORDER DEVOTIONAL page.