LEARNING DAILY

Mark 4:40, He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

The disciples and Jesus were in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee after a great day of teaching and healing. Jesus was asleep and a great storm came up. There was experienced fisherman in this boat, but this was no ordinary storm. This storm caused them to fear for their lives. They had to wake Jesus up so He could do something.

This certainly is representative of the Believer’s walk with Jesus. After great success the storm does seem to come. No one is exempt from life’s storms when one decides to walk with Him. We can learn from the disciples who had Jesus with them to lean on Him during these times. Believers, like the disciples in the boat, do not have to do anything to cause the storm to rise. The storms come not because there was sin that separated the disciples from Jesus nor were they out of His will. Those storms or rough times we experience as Believers should not be surprised. 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you.” Storms come our way to help us learn to trust in Him and help us mature in our faith.

One’s real faith is shown during a real or severe trial. Like me I believe you have had those times when fear and doubt have come. But the question Jesus asked causes us to remember to trust in God’s goodness and to have faith that we are never alone during these times. It is an encouragement to surrender those fears and worries to Him; its in those times we can feel peace, strength, and courage to face whatever comes our way.

The question Jesus asked his disciples does cut right to the core of what we believe, doesn’t it? It challenges us to confront the very nature of our fears in the presence of the One who has power and authority over every circumstance we face. When Jesus asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" He is not only challenging the faith of the disciple at that moment but also challenging them to have complete faith in Him. This is a gentle(?) rebuke to Believers today to do all they can to walk the narrow way with Jesus even when trials come. They come to deepen our faith.

Storms are temporary; they pass. God’s love and His protection for the Believer, however, endures forever. You know how you build the foundation that endures the storm – reading/studying/meditating on the Word of God, praying, and walking in obedience. When the storms come the first thing to do is pray and trust Him. He does hear the prayers of Believers. Then believe that God does all things according to His will and in the way it will further our growth in Him. Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

When things get difficult wherever you are, trust God to lead you and see you through it. He just might tell that storm “Peace, be still!”