Storms of Life – Part 2
Scripture to read: Mark 4:35-41
Certainly Jesus and the apostles had to face some of the most gruesome difficulties in their journey to proclaim the gospel. So why wouldn’t we ,as God’s children, also have our own difficulties when we follow Jesus as obedient as we can?
Secondly, in reading about this voyage of crossing the sea. We see that the Lord had gone fast asleep. “ Jesus was in the stern and He was sleeping on a cushion.” Mark 4: 38 Being human, Jesus must have been tired after teaching for a long time. As a teacher of middle school students I often recall coming home and needing a good sleep before dinner and preparing for the next day’s lessons. And because Jesus was all knowing, He could rest until He was needed to help the disciples.
Thirdly, in the rest v.38 we see that the disciples were really scared for their lives. What should we take away from the rest of this v. 36? These men, even the ones who were seasoned fishermen, were afraid. So, true followers of Jesus still must deal with their fears and weaknesses. In those moments of panic we may even lose our trust in the power of Jesus to help us. Even these disciples said “ Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing.” We are no different than these men as they faced a tough situation. We are flawed and in need of the one who loves us and values us.
Fourthly, in verse 39 we read that the storm “and the wind died down and became perfectly calm.” In just a few words from Jesus all was calm. Don’t we find calm when we read and believe the words that God’s Spirit had inspired the gospel writers? In verse 40, we see that Jesus asks the disciples 2 questions. Why were they so frightened? Jesus also questions their faith. This group had seen and would continue to see so many miracles and yet they were slow to believe in Him. Many times, they would not understand what He was doing for them. Do we sometimes see ourselves or our fellow believers lose hope and faith? Do we sometimes behave like doubting Thomas? We must alway believe He will never desert us.
Lastly, these disciples displayed the fear and wonder of this man, Jesus, who could calm a violent storm with just a few words. “And they became very much afraid and said to one another, ” Who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey.” Mark 4:41
In the words of Alistair Begg, “It’s natural for us to ask God to change our situations, to take away great difficulties, or to remove us from trials. We look at our surroundings and think, “I never bargained for this!” We start to believe the lie that everything will be ok if we can just get away or if our problems are just taken away. But the fact of the matter is that no matter where we go, problems will come and perfection will be elusive this side of heaven.” We must in our own times of fear and distress hear the words of the psalmist in Psalm 145
The Lord sustains all who fall.
And raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to Thee,
And Thou dost give them their food in due time.
Thou dost open Thy hand.
And dost satisfy the desires of every living thing.
V.14-16
I Hope that we all can find the peace that Jesus brings in our Storms of Life. We will certainly need Him when they come…..
A few songs I hope you will enjoy too.