Facing The Storm Of Fear

One of the things that made this such a dreadful storm was that it had strong winds, and it was over three hundred miles wide.

Florida was blessed, because it came up to the coast line and made a turn. When South Carolina was told to “Watch out”, because the storm was heading in their direction, the largest evacuation in the state was carried out. It caused such a traffic problem, it took some folks 12 to 13 hours to travel only a hundred miles.

Before it reached the shores, God graciously allowed the storm to turn, and not come inland. Even though hurricane Floyd caused a flood in this country, it could have been a lot worse.

It is good that we live in an age when we have the technology that allows us to see storms coming, and to be prepared for them before they reach us.

But in this life, we not only face PHYSICAL STORMS, we also face SPIRITUAL STORMS. It is not the national weather bureau that warns us of the danger of these spiritual storms, it is the WORD OF GOD!

The disciples encountered a PHYSICAL STORM and a SPIRITUAL STORM at the same time. They were on a boat when a dreadful storm came. It was so bad, that these experienced fishermen thought that they were all going to a watery grave that day. But the Lord appeared before these FEARFUL DISCIPLES, and when He was finished with them, these FEARFUL DISCIPLES became the PEACEFUL DISCIPLES.

As we face the storms of life, WHAT WOULD WE DO IF WE DID NOT HAVE THE LORD TO TURN TOO?

We would have to do the same thing the lost world does, and turn to DRUGS and ALCOHOL to cope with life.

The only problem with their solutions is that their solutions are no solutions at all. When they get sober, they not only still have the problem that drove them to drink or to take drugs, they now have other problems that are related to their taking drugs or drinking.

As these disciples faced this deadly storm, notice three things that the Lord dealt with:

I. HE DEALT WITH THEIR FEAR

Look at their fear in verses 47-50. We read, “And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, BE OF GOOD CHEER: IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.”

WHY WOULD HE TELL THEM NOT TO BE AFRAID? It was obvious that the ship was about to sink, why shouldn’t they be afraid?

A. BECAUSE HE IS GREATER THAN THE STORM

That is, the Lord never once looked at the storm and said, “I think I can whip it, I hope I can whip it!” He knew that all he had to say to that storm, was, “Peace be still”, and that storm would become calm.”

Illus: When hurricane Floyd was raging as a category 5 storm, all the Lord would have had to say to that storm was, “Settle down!”, and that storm would have settled down instantly!”

The reason He told them “BE OF GOOD CHEER: IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID”, was because He knew He was greater than the storm. The only problem was, the disciples didn’t know that. They should have, but they didn’t!

When we allow our STORMS to become GREATER than the God we serve, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

The Bible tells us that the disciples were doing everything they knew to do to save themselves, but all their efforts were inadequate. But notice something, Jesus comes walking on the water, walking on the very thing that brought fear to the disciples.

Look at verse 48, we read, “And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.”

There is a song that goes like this, “Our God is an awesome God!” THAT HE IS!

Isaiah describes His “awesomeness”. Look at Isaiah 40:12, we read, “Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?”

Job describes His power as well. Look at Job 9:5 12. “Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?”