LEARNING DAILY

Mark 4:40-41, But he said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and sea obey Him!”

Remember the disciples are terrified by the storm that came up as they were crossing the Sea of Galilee and Jesus is asleep. They have listened to His teaching. They have witnessed Him heal people and make people whole by casting out demons. They walked with Him, listening to Him when no one else was around. Then the storm comes. Then the trials come. We look upon them and question where their faith is. Was there any question about their belief that Jesus was the Messiah? This storm must have been severe because many of them were experienced fisherman; even the experienced were very afraid.

The questions Jesus asked went straight to putting their faith into practice. Being with Jesus was great until the storm came, until they were tested. I wonder if the Lord was asking about their faith or their lack of acting on their faith when the storm came. Did He think they were to calm the storm or be faithful and trust that all would be okay because He was with them?

How do you, as a Believer, handle severe trials? Believers can read/study/meditate on God’s Word, pray continually, go to Church and be moved by a great Holy Spirit led service, but when trials come or the fear of something is great, great faith needs to come to comfort and encourage. Or does fear cause us to act like the disciples in their storm? Believer, there is going to come a time when your faith in Jesus is going to be tested by a great trial that is beyond your control.

Jesus wanted the faith of the disciples to be on what they had observed in Him as well as their knowledge. He wanted their faith to be centered in Him. He was in the boat with them, and He was not going to let it sink! He wanted them the place their faith in Him! The storms were opportunity for them to learn, to grasp the meaning of who He really is and put His love and grace deep into their heart. They needed more time.

Is that not the purpose of walking the narrow way with Jesus. When those severe storms or trial come to you, as a Believer, you will handle them best by having Jesus in the boat with you (walking the narrow way with Him). When you fix your eyes on the wind and the waves and the rain of the storm – that’s when the real trouble comes. As a Believer, Jesus is with you!

The amazement of the disciples to the calming of the storm is seen when they wondered who Jesus was that the wind and sea obey Him. Did they believe Jesus was the One who would lead them against Rome even at this time? But did the obedience of the wind and sea make them realize He was God Himself? That was something only God Himself could do.

It is not only knowledge that leads to faith; experiences faced, often in the form of trials, lead Believers to faith. That is not earned; it is a gift from God and comes as the Holy Spirit works in us. No matter what the storm is that one faces, remember that Jesus is with you. He is still calming the wind and the waves of the storms when they come to those who follow Him!