Jesus Stills the Storm

 "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 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.And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.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?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.And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:25-41)

This story about how Jesus calmed a tempest can be taken so many ways. It demonstrates the power of God, touches on the importance of having faith, and teaches a lesson on trusting God even in the middle of life's storms. Whatever trial you may be facing, we serve a God who has the power to bring calm into the chaos.

There are times in your life you will face a situation where you feel you cannot handle it anymore. You become fearful, believing that there's no way out. Never forget that Jesus is with you. He was with the disciples on that fateful day--fast asleep. Jesus, the King of Peace, was unworried about the storm because he knew it had no power to take their lives. The disciples on the other hand, gave in to the thought that they were about to perish.

It's interesting to note that they did not even wake Jesus until the ship was full of water. No doubt they tried everything else first--bailing out the water that the crashing waves deposited into the ship. Perhaps they fussed with the sails, or tossed out barrels and supplies, trying to lighten the load so the ship wouldn't capsize. 

In the chaos, they must have forgotten about Jesus. Or maybe they thought Jesus was working right along with them until they realized, with great amazement, that He was asleep! The disciples must have looked at one another and thought How could anyone sleep at a time like this?!

They said "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Don't you care that we are about to die?

Jesus immediately arose and commanded the wind and sea to be still. And there was a great calm. Afterwards he asked them why they were so fearful, and how it was that they had no faith.

Wow. That should speak to us all at any level. If we say that we have faith, then we must also demonstrate that we have no fear about what man or any other external force can do to us. When we have given our lives to Jesus, we should never forget to dwell daily, and through any situation, in His perfect peace.  

He will never leave us nor forsake us. When we call upon Him, we realize that He has been right there with us all along. In fact, He should be the One to whom we turn first. Don't make Him a last resort.

 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

I'm so glad that I serve a King who has overcome all things. 

This is a beautiful song about our cries being heard by our Master Jesus.

He knows your voice
Lift your hands, it's time to rejoice
Child, your cries have awoken the Master!