The Open Heavens 28 April 2026 devotional for today is WHEN HE IS IN THE BOAT I.
The author of this daily devotion is Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 28 APRIL 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: 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
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?
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 28 APRIL 2026 TODAY 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
Open Heavens HYMN 29: WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER ATTENDETH MY WAY
OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL 28 APRIL 2026 OMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Exodus 33:15
“And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”
This is one of the most powerful declarations in Scripture. Moses had just been told by God that He would send an angel to lead Israel into the Promised Land. But Moses refused to settle for an angel—he wanted God Himself. He understood that God’s presence was the only thing that distinguished Israel from every other nation. Without God’s presence, success was meaningless. With it, failure was impossible. This verse reveals the heart of a man who knew that God’s presence is the non-negotiable essential for any journey.
BIBLE READING: Mark 4:35-41
This passage records the famous storm on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had been teaching all day, and when evening came, He said to His disciples, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” They took Him into the ship, just as He was, and began to cross. A great storm arose—so violent that waves beat into the ship, filling it with water. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep on a pillow in the stern. The disciples, many of them experienced fishermen who knew this sea, were terrified. They woke Jesus, crying, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Then He asked them, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” This passage demonstrates that having Jesus in your boat doesn’t mean the storm won’t come—it means the storm cannot win.
The Safety of Having Jesus in Your Boat
In today’s devotional, Pastor E.A. Adeboye shares a powerful truth that should bring peace to every believer: if Jesus is in your boat, your boat cannot sink. The storms will come, the waves will rise, but the presence of the Master guarantees your safe arrival.
The Testimony That Shook a Worker
The devotional opens with a remarkable personal testimony. Daddy Adeboye was planning to travel to Abonnema for a crusade, a journey that required crossing a dangerous stretch of water. Just before the trip, news came that a boat had capsized on that same route, drowning many people.
Most people would have cancelled. But Daddy Adeboye had made up his mind to go. He called a meeting at the national headquarters, asking for volunteers to accompany him.
One worker raised his hand and asked a strange question: “Sir, can I be in your boat?”
When told yes, he replied, “That will be good.” Curious, Daddy Adeboye asked why he said that. The worker’s answer revealed extraordinary faith: “I know that whatever boat you travel in would not sink.”
Think about this. A man looked at another mere mortal—a human being just like himself—and declared absolute confidence in his safety. Why? Because he knew that God was with Daddy Adeboye. He understood that the presence of God on a vessel makes that vessel unsinkable.
The Storm That Couldn’t Win
The Bible reading gives us the classic example of this truth. Jesus got into a boat with His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee. He was physically present with them. Then a storm arose—a violent, life-threatening storm. Waves crashed over the boat. Water poured in. Experienced fishermen who had spent their lives on this sea were terrified.
And Jesus was asleep.
This detail is important. Jesus’ presence didn’t prevent the storm. The storm came even though He was in the boat. But His presence meant the storm had no authority. When He woke and spoke, the wind and waves had to obey. The storm that should have sunk them became the stage for His glory.
The disciples arrived safely at the other side—not because they were good sailors, but because He was in the boat.
What It Means to Have Jesus in Your Boat
Having Jesus in your boat means several things:
1. You Have Divine Presence
The worker wanted to be in Daddy Adeboye’s boat not because of who Daddy Adeboye was, but because of Who was with him. When Jesus is in your boat, you carry the presence of the Almighty. You are not alone in your journey.
2. You Have Divine Protection
The boat that capsized killed many people. But the worker knew that the boat carrying God’s servant would not sink. Not because the boat was special, but because the Passenger was special. Jesus in your boat means angels guard your path.
3. You Have Divine Authority Over Storms
The disciples learned that storms have to obey Jesus. When He is with you, you can speak to your situation with His authority. The wind and waves—whether literal or metaphorical—must bow to His name.
4. You Have Divine Guarantee of Arrival
Jesus said, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” He didn’t say, “Let us try to pass over.” He declared the destination. When Jesus is in your boat, your arrival is guaranteed. The storm cannot change His word.
The Difference Between Angel Presence and God Presence
Moses understood something crucial. God offered to send an angel to lead Israel into Canaan. An angel would have been powerful. An angel would have fought their battles. An angel would have guided their steps.
But Moses said no. “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.”
Why? Because an angel can lead you into battle, but only God’s presence can give you peace. An angel can show you the way, but only God’s presence can make the way safe. An angel can fight for you, but only God’s presence can guarantee victory.
The worker who wanted to be in Daddy Adeboye’s boat understood this instinctively. He didn’t want just any boat—he wanted the boat that carried God’s presence. That was the only safe place to be.
How to Get Jesus in Your Boat
The devotional ends with a clear invitation: if you have not yet given your life to Christ, surrender completely to Him today. Acknowledge Him as the Controller of your life. When you do, He will not only begin to direct your ways, but He will also walk with you every step of the way.
Getting Jesus in your boat is not complicated:
- Repent of your sins—turn away from the old life
- Receive Him as Lord—acknowledge His authority over you
- Follow Him daily—walk with Him in obedience
When you do this, He steps into your boat. And once He’s in, He never leaves. Matthew 28:20 is His promise: “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
What to Do When the Storm Comes
If Jesus is in your boat, storms will still come. They came for the disciples. They came for Paul. They will come for you. But here’s what to do:
1. Remember Who Is in Your Boat
The disciples forgot. They saw the storm and panicked, even though the Creator of the storm was asleep in their vessel. Don’t let the size of the storm make you forget the greatness of your Passenger.
2. Trust His Timing
Jesus slept through the storm. He wasn’t worried. He knew the storm had no authority over Him. When He seems silent, when He seems asleep, trust that He is still in control.
3. Wake Him with Faith
The disciples woke Jesus with fear: “Carest thou not that we perish?” Better to wake Him with faith: “Lord, I know You’re in control, but I need You to speak to this situation.” He responds to faith, not panic.
4. Speak to Your Storm
When Jesus spoke, the storm stopped. He has given you authority in His name. Speak to your situation. Command the wind and waves to be still.
5. Expect to Arrive
Jesus said you’re going to the other side. That’s not a suggestion—it’s a promise. No matter how fierce the storm, you will arrive where He has destined you to go.
Conclusion: Your Boat Cannot Sink
The worker’s declaration should be your confidence today: if Jesus is in your boat, your boat cannot sink. It may rock. It may take on water. It may feel like it’s going under. But it cannot sink.
Why? Because the One who walked on water is in the boat. The One who calms storms with a word is in the boat. The One who holds the universe together is in the boat. And He has promised to bring you to the other side.
So rest in His presence. Trust His power. And keep sailing. Your destination is guaranteed.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I invite You into my boat today. Come into my life, my family, my marriage, my business, my future. I surrender control to You. I acknowledge You as the Controller of my life. When storms come, help me remember that You are with me. Speak to my storms and bring me safely to the other side. In Your mighty name, Amen.”
Action Steps:
- If you’ve never invited Jesus into your life, do it now. Pray a simple prayer of surrender.
- Identify the “boat” areas of your life: Your career, your family, your health, your finances. Consciously invite Jesus into each one.
- When storms come, practice the presence of God. Remind yourself out loud: “Jesus is in my boat. This storm cannot win.”
- Speak to your storms: Identify one area where a storm is raging and begin to speak Jesus’ words over it: “Peace, be still.”
- Rest in His presence: This week, set aside time to simply be still and know that He is God. Let His presence fill your boat.
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