PEACE IN THE STORM
Opening Prayer
Lord, we are thankful to have You in the boat with us.
Read MARK 4:35–41
Jesus Calms the Storm
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear” (Ps 46:1,2).
Think Further
By now, the disciples have followed Jesus for some time and have observed all the miracles He performed. They have witnessed the multitudes following Him, and they have trusted in Him. Yet they remain slow to learn. At this point they are yet to be challenged to entrust their lives to Jesus’ hands in a violent storm at sea.
Crises and difficult circumstances often push us to our limits and test the depth of our faith. Likewise, the disciples now face a furious storm and feel helpless. Remember that many of them are fishermen, and storms on the Sea of Galilee are normal. Yet, this particular storm challenges their strength and seafaring skills. It looks hopeless. In fear and desperation, they finally turn to Jesus for help. Jesus rebukes the wind and restores calm. Turning to His disciples, Jesus chides them for their lack of faith. Why is it that the disciples are still slow to learn? They have yet to fully understand who Jesus really is, and they fail to understand their purpose in following Jesus (40, 41). They turn to Jesus only as the last resort during the storm!
Life’s storms can be very challenging, but God is bigger than any storm we face. Let us be reminded that God is always there for us, and He promises not to leave us, even in places where we can’t see Him and in circumstances that we don’t fully understand. Hear the words of comfort from the Lord speaking to us as He rebukes the storm, “Quiet! Be still!” (39). He is right there with us in the midst of the storm. He will surely guide us, protect us, and carry us until we reach the shore safely.
Apply
Recall what storms from which the Lord has delivered you. Thank Him, and rest assured that He will be with you during the next one.
Closing prayer
Lord, grant us faith in the storms of life, save us from the surging water, and help us to see You, always with us as a present help in trouble.
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