Scripture:
Mark 4:35-41 NKJV
[35] On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” [36] Now, when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was already filling. [38] But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” [39] Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” [41] And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Observation:
In light of the recent storms here in Oklahoma, seeing neighborhoods and homes destroyed, and buildings that once stood strong and proud having to be torn down and removed due to the tornado damage, has, I’m sure, caused our faith to bring this scripture back to our hearts. But more than just the weather, I want to take a look at the storms that take place in our spiritual life as well. Let’s dive in. Having written about this scripture before in a little different context, it’s easy to want to remember the fact that Jesus was shaping the faith of HIS disciples. Getting in a boat to travel was common in those days. So when HE grabbed a pillow and went to the stern for a nap, no one really thought any differently. Jesus had gained a large following by this time, so all the little boats that followed at this time were a part of this story as well. As he napped, a storm arose that brought fear into the lives of all who were not only in the boat HE was in, but all the little boats that followed, I’m sure. After all their boats, according to the scripture, were smaller than the boat, the HE was asleep. As the fear grew and the boats began to take on water, the fear grew, and the capacity to restrain it shrank. I can picture the men with buckets pitching the water out of the boat as fast as they can, and still not getting anywhere. When in a panic, they wake up Jesus. Concern for their lives had motivated them to run to the SAVIOR. “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” As HE arose and quickly assisted the situation, HE spoke 3 little words that had a great impact… “Peace be still,” and the wind calmed, and the waves stopped. Those who were there were truly astonished and left to wonder what had just happened, not to mention who this man is that can command the wind and rain to stop, and it does. Now, it’s easy to look at this from this side of the page and think. What were they worried about? They had Jesus with them. But I want us to remember we have been given the book that is designed to shape our faith, just like Jesus was doing when HE said Get in, let’s go to the other side. The few words HE said after the storm calmed down had to hit them in their heart just a little bit. Why are you so fearful and have no faith? I’m sure Jesus was thinking I just said we are going to the other side. Faith tells us that we will get to the other side. They just don’t get it. The disciples started to communicate with one another about who this could be, that the wind and the waves obey HIM. I’m sure this was a turning point for some of them. They started to realize that they were in the very presence of the SON of GOD.
Application:
From the outside of this story, looking in, it’s easy to think. Did they not realize that they had Jesus in the boat with them, and nothing was going to happen? But what happens to us when a catastrophe comes along in our lives? Do we not do the very same thing? Taking our eyes off the SAVIOR and focusing on the situation. I don’t know about you, but I have been guilty of just that. Forgetting who was in the boat with me, looking at the storm, thinking of sinking. All the while, forgetting all about what the word says. Panic has a way of doing that to us. Our faith should be our focus. When we can relax and keep the panic at bay long enough to remember who GOD is, we will make better decisions, but if we let the panic set in and react to the situation, we will find ourselves making wrong choices. I want to go back to the scripture here and bring it to our attention that what they focused on grew. When they were overwhelmed by the storm, the storm was overpowering them, but when they took that focus to the SAVIOR. The storm calmed. Remembering who’s we are is a very vital part of what it means to walk by faith. Getting HIS word written deep in your hearts is a key to all of that. I want to move for just a minute to Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 through 18, where the armor of GOD is described, bringing our attention to the very first piece of it. The belt of truth. Knowing GOD’S word and seeing it as the truth, whether or not the situation supports it or not is the key to fighting off the panic of what’s going on all around you. The truth of GOD’S word holds it all together when everything around us is falling apart. The storms of life are no different. Paying attention to exactly who GOD is and what HE said will allow us to make our decisions based on the truth rather than the situation. As I look at my life and I place it alongside the scripture. I can see how important it is to trust God over what things look like. Walking in faith means you won’t be able to see what HE said, but you will have to trust that HE said it and therefore it will happen. GOD is not a man that HE should lie nor the son of man that HE should repent. If HE said it, then it is the truth. Walk in the confidence that HE has spoken to you, know HIS word, so that when situations arise that look overwhelming, you can remind yourself of what HE said and act accordingly. Let your faith be shaped by overcoming the world rather than allowing the world to overcome you. The storms will not kill you, but as you withstand them, they will grow your faith.
Prayer:
Father, you have a wonderful way of seeing exactly where we are. You know what to put in front of us so that we will run to you. We pray this morning in gratitude, knowing that you will calm the storm that so easily steals our attention and focus. Help us to stay focused on you, knowing what you said and standing on that. We know that situations have come up that have tried to divert our attention, but we desire to double down on your word because it is the source of truth for us. You said it we believe it and that settles it. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.