Peace in a storm!
Mark 4:35-41 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
There is nothing like getting caught in a storm. Imagine, being caught in a really bad storm in a small boat. That would be scary, right? What is notable is these men were seasoned fisherman. They were used to storms and pretty much anything the sea could dish out. So, if this storm scared them it was really bad. The boat was sinking no matter what they did. No matter how they tried to trun the boat , adjust the sails and pull the rudder…it was not going well.
We have all gone through things in life. Trial and temptations just happen. But every once in a while something happens on a scale we have not seen before. It seems like this is the one that is going to take us out and destroy us. Our first reaction is to say “Jesus don’t you care that we are about to drown?” Why do we always blame God? Why did they just say, “Hey Lord can you calm this storm?” No they complained. We all do it.
Of course God cares! He created us to love us but sometimes he wants to see what we have learned. They were used storms it was just the size of this storm that befuddled them. God has brought us through smaller storms to train us that he can bring us through the bigger storms of life. They forgot a one thing:
First, Jesus was in the boat with them. He promised never to leave us or forsake us. Jesus was sleeping because obviously he was not worried the storm was going to destroy them. God is in control of even the storms he knew would happen and sent them into. Why want it their first reaction to wake him up and ask for help? They thought they could handle it on their own.
There is nothing that kills faith in God more than faith in self. Instead we should to as Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
When Jesus woke up, He stretched his arms and yawned and said, “Quiet, be still!” I think he not only said that to the storm but to the disciples. When the storm rage he quiets not only the storm but he quiets us! He gives us peace in the midst of the storm
Remember no matter what you are going through, Gods is going though it with you. He just asks, Where is your faith? After all you have seen me do? After all I have brought you through where is your faith?
Ps 93:3-5 Sea storms are up, God,
Sea storms wild and roaring,
Sea storms with thunderous breakers.
Stronger than wild sea storms,
Mightier than sea-storm breakers,
Mighty God rules from High Heaven.
What you say goes — it always has.
"Beauty" and "Holy" mark your palace rule,
God, to the very end of time.
SONG: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOWdOPxTJyM
Your Pastor, Mike Gibney
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