Calming the Storm
by Scott R. Bayles #122
Church of Christ
Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:7
Invitation Song: "Master the Tempest is Raging"
Helen Steiner Rice, in A Book of Courage, speaks through the poem Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled. She writes:
Whenever I am troubled and lost in despair;
I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in prayer.
I tell Him I am sick and lost and lonely too,
That my mind is deeply burdened and I don’t know what to do.
But I know He stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea,
And I humbly ask if, in His love, He’ll do the same for me.
And then I just keep quiet and think only thoughts of peace,
And if I abide in stillness my restless murmurings cease.
Every individual created by God is different. Like snowflakes, you’ll never find two that are identical. We have different families, different friends, different jobs, we come from different walks of life. But one thing that you can be sure we all have in common is that we all have troubles. And when the storms of life start billowing up, our resolve is tested. We learn what kind of people we really are.
It’s easy to become anxious, angry, panicked, or just frightened. But God offers this word of peace, "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10). Even in the midst life’s thunderstorms and hurricanes--even when the circumstances around us seem at their darkest--we can be at peace because of God! When bill collectors are knocking at the door; when family members are in the hospital; when the doctor gives us the worst possible news, we can surrender to the torrents of waves and be swallowed up by the sea, or we can calmly put out faith in God and He will see us through the storm!
In Mark 4, Jesus had been using a small boat as His pulpit; preaching and teaching His disciples! They were learning the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. But academic faith is not the same as active faith! They had the knowledge, but did they know what to do with it? Their faith, like ours often is, was about to be tested! Let me encourage you to read with me...
Mark 4:35-41 (ESV)
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." [36] And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. [38] But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" [39] And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?"
The sea which they had set out to cross was the Sea of Galilee, a freshwater lake in northern Palestine. It was heart-shaped, about 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. It was 680 feet below sea level and was a place of inspiring beauty.
However, with mountains surrounding most of the lake, the fierce downdrafts of cold air from the higher elevations to the warm air of the sea, made it frequently subject to violent storms ... which was the case this night.
Even though the situation appeared to be threatening, we can see at least three good reasons why His disciples should have been at peace. The first is that with Jesus on board they should have found...
I. PEACE IN HIS PURPOSE:
Mark tells us that, "On that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, ’Let us go over to the other side’" (v. 35). In that simple suggestion the disciples should have found more peace than in the most calm, tranquil seas. Jesus sought to put miles of water between Himself and the multitudes of people on the western shore. It was His idea to cross the sea and go into the eastern country!
Did Jesus know that the storm was coming? Of course He did! That storm would be a part of the days curriculum. Jesus undoubtedly knew that the storm was coming, and certainly could have prevented it, but He deliberately directed them into the storm so that He might teach His disciples some lessons. It would help them understand a lesson that they didn’t even know they needed to learn: Jesus can be trusted in the storms of life!
Many people have the mistaken idea that storms only come to their lives when they’ve disobeyed God (when they’ve done something wrong), but that’s not always the case. In the Old Testament we read about the prophet Jonah. God commanded Jonah to go preach to the people of Nineveh. But, Jonah hated the Ninevites. He didn’t want to preach to them, so he ran away. He paid for passage on a small boat, but the further they sailed from Nineveh they worst the storm got. Their ship was being tossed around like the Minnow on Gilligan’s Island. And it would have gone under--it would have been destroyed--had not the crew discovered that it was Jonah’s fault they were in this mess and they threw him overboard. And you’ll probably remember that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and spent three nights in the belly of that whale!
Jonah was caught in that storm because he did not obey God. But here, the disciples got into this storm because they did obey Jesus! As we read our Bibles, we discover that there are two kinds of storms: (1) storms of correction, when God disciplines us; and (2) storms of perfection, when God helps us to grow. That’s what this storm was.
Jesus’ statement, "Let us go over to the other side," was more that just a suggestion. It was a promise! If Jesus says we are going to the other side of the sea, you can rest assured that you will make it to the other side!
Let us not forget that this is the God, "who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or imagine..." (Eph. 3:20). His commandments are also His enablements, and nothing can hinder the working out of His plans. He did not promise an easy trip, but He did promise a guaranteed arrival at their destination!
When we find ourselves enduring hardships, or suffering, though we are following Christ in our lives, we must remember that He brought us here and He can see us through. There is peace in God’s purpose! But, the disciples also should have found...
II. PEACE IN HIS PRESENCE:
As the story continues, "there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. [38] Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, ’Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’" (v. 37).
It would be one thing if Jesus had said, "You go over across the sea, and I’ll meet on the other shore!" They could have still trusted in His purpose, but they would have been alone along the way, and who knows what could have happened.
But that isn’t what Jesus said. He told them, "we will go." And He went with them in the boat! Yet, when winds crashed against the sea and boat started to fill up they became terrified. The Lord Himself was with them, so what was there to fear?
They had seen His power demonstrated in His miracles. Jesus could make blind men see, He could make crippled men walk, He could feed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish. So they should have had complete confidence that Christ could handle this situation! But for some reason, the disciples did not yet understand that He was indeed the Master of every situation!
It’s interesting that this is the only place in the entire Bible that speaks of Jesus sleeping--that should say something to us. Even in the midst of the storm, Jesus was perfectly at peace! That fact alone should have encouraged His disciples. Jesus was doing God’s will and knew that the Father would take care of Him. So He took a nap. Jesus slept in the storm because He was truly secure in God’s will.
David once wrote, "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). How often in the trials of life are we prone to imitate the faithless disciple who cried out, "Lord, don’t you care about us?" Of course, He cares! Too many Christians have the mistaken idea that obedience to God’s will produces "smooth sailing." As long as we do what God wants we won’t have any trouble, is their thinking. But that’s just not true. Jesus warned us, saying, "In the world you will have tribulation" (John 16:33). But He also promised that He will be with us through it all.
As Jesus ascended into heaven, He said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19).
Had Jesus remained on earth He could not have fulfilled this promise. As a man He would be limited by His physical body. But after He ascended, He poured out His Spirit over all the world. As Christians, we have the blessed assurance of having Christ’s Spirit with us wherever we go. There is great peace in His presence. Finally, Jesus’ disciples should have found...
III. PEACE IN HIS PROCLAMATION:
Overwhelmed with compassion for His fearful crew, "Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ’Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. [40] And He said to them, ’Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?’" (v. 39).
What an awesome sight this must have been. The word "rebuke" was the same word that Jesus often used when casting out demons. Which makes me think it’s possible that Satan was somehow behind this severe storm, attempting to kill Jesus or at least prevent Him from reaching the demon possessed men on the eastern shore. But that didn’t stop our Lord!
Jesus calmed both the wind and the sea by simply speaking the word! Usually after the winds die down, the waves remain rough for hours; but in this instance, everything became calm immediately and stayed that way. When God speaks, even the wind and the sea listen.
The Bible says, "Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all the ocean depths; [8] Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, obey His word" (Psalm 148:7). And 2000 years later, the Word of God has not lost its potency. God’s Word is just as powerful as ever. And when we read it, it can bring peace to our lives. Within these pages lies: (1) God’s plan for our salvation, (2) His promises to mankind, and (3) His purpose for our lives!
Isaiah reminded the people of Israel that there is peace in God’s word. The Bible says, "If only you had listened to My commandments! Your peace would be like a river, and your righteousness like waves on the sea" (Isaiah 48:18).
When we feel lost--when the struggles of this life are overwhelming us and it feels like our ship about to sink--we can open our Bibles, listen to God’s Word, and the winds will die down and the sea will be calm!
Whenever I am troubled and lost in despair;
I bundle all my troubles up and go to God in prayer.
I tell Him I am sick and lost and lonely too,
That my mind is deeply burdened and I don’t know what to do.
But I know He stilled the tempest and calmed the angry sea,
And I humbly ask if, in His love, He’ll do the same for me.
And then I just keep quiet and think only thoughts of peace,
And if I abide in stillness my restless murmurings cease.
Conclusion:
When the sea was raging and the billows were tossing high, the disciples looked around and saw danger, they looked within and saw fear, but they fail to look up and see God! The greatest danger was not the wind or the waves--it was the unbelief in hearts of the disciples! Our greatest problems are within us, not around us! So when we are faced with the challenges of this life, let’s not make the same mistake!
This was just one of many lessons Jesus would teach His disciples on the Sea of Galilee, and each lesson would reveal some wonderful new truth about our Lord Jesus!
They already knew that He had the authority to forgive sins, to cast our demons, and to heal diseases. Now they discover that He even has authority over the wind and the sea. This meant that they had no reason ever again to be afraid, for our Lord is in control of every situation! Instead of allowing our fears and doubts to overwhelm us, let us find...
Peace in God’s Purpose and plans for our life,
Peace in the Presence of Jesus Christ and His Spirit, and...
Peace in the Proclamation of His Holy Word!
Invitation:
Do you feel troubled or lost in despair? Is your mind deeply burdened? Jesus invites you to come to Him and experience the "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philp. 4:7). "Come to me," Jesus beckons, "all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:28). If you are subject to the invitation, please come...
