LEARNING DAILY

 

Mark 4:39, 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.

 

The storm is raging all around them; it is so bad that even the experienced fishermen feared for their lives. Where was Jesus and why wasn’t he doing anything? That was the question. He was there but he was sleeping. He had told them their destination was the other side of the Sea of Galilee but He did not tell them the sailing would be smooth getting there. The only thing they knew to do was wake Him up and ask Him if He cared they were in the storm and going to perish.

 

Jesus has promised He is the “door” to heaven, “Good Shepherd” who gives His life for the sheep (John 10:6). He has promised all who believe in Him that their destination is eternal life in God’s kingdom and we get there by walking on the narrow way. But, as the disciples in the boat experienced the way might get rough. We are going to get to that destination but along the way we are going to experience problems – trials and temptations – because our enemy, the devil and the world and our flesh causes us to stumble. And, like the disciples we want to know where Jesus is and why the way is not easier. We cannot forget that Jesus is always with us!

 

The disciples woke up Jesus and, in a few words, the winds died down and He calmed the sea. I am in awe of this. He did not call out for help from angels or get any help at all. With just a few words, the storm goes from a raging sea to complete calmness. Only God can do this! He has promised to get us to His kingdom and eternal life regardless of the storms we face. Our fears or storms will want us to do just like the disciples in the boat – to fear the worst will happen. But our faith in Jesus Christ will tell us God is in control and to put that faith into action. That is the Jesus you and I serve!

 

Jesus got after His disciples wanting to know where their faith was. Did they not believe He could get them out of their situation? I wonder how often we are like the disciples in the boat who wonder where Jesus is when we are going through problems in life. As Christians, we are not immune to difficulties brought on by storms. Do we wonder where He is when we face difficulties like death, broken dreams, relationship difficulties and just going through spiritually dry periods. Have you ever cried out wanting to know where Jesus was and why He did not just take all the difficulties away? Yet, isn’t it through these times that our faith can grow as we cry out just the opposite. When we cry out for Him to be with us, to see us through the storm we face, we give Him the opportunity to calm the storm. When we do, we grow a little closer to Him and our faith conquers our fears.

 

You and I can be just like the disciples. We wonder why the storms arise around us. Some are more serious than others and we wonder where Jesus is, why He allows things to happen. But, we have to remember He is in the boat with us encouraging our faith in Him to be strong. He desires us to grow in our faith and trust Him. The real test comes when He is still and quiet.