Jesus asked, “Where is your faith?” I believe this is the same question the Lord would like to ask us today. Where is your faith? Where or what do you put your trust in? In yourself – your own wisdom and strength? Your career? Your family?
No human being can live without faith in someone or something. The difference between the Christian and non-Christian is not that one has faith and the other does not. They both have faith. The difference between the two is the object of their faith. One believes in himself and trusts in his or her own efforts. The Christian put his or her faith in Jesus Christ and trust in a God who cares for him and is there to guide him. Therefore the Christian life, from start to finish, is a journey of faith.
Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
(1) PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD
Today many people would rather believe the advertisements they see or hear about than believe what the Word of God says. They would rather believe the drug peddlers who offer a cure for their illness than believe the Word of God. It really appears that people are prepared to believe everything they read about in the magazines, and not the Word of God. It takes more effort to believe the Bible, than the stuff they read about on the internet.
It is only when we believe the Word of God and act on it that it becomes a reality in our lives. It is this faith that enables us to overcome storms we face in life because Jesus Christ is the Lord of the life.
There is nobody in the world that will not face a problem during his or her life. But we can prepare for these trying times by listening to God’s Word and trusting Him to fulfill His promise. And each time this happens, we will know that He is real and He can be trusted.
Jesus faced many challenges in His life but He was always the victor. He has complete trust in God. In the Bible account that we read today, Jesus gave His disciples a command - also a word of promise - to go to the other side of the lake. As the ship left Capernaum, Jesus who was weary, went to sleep. While Jesus slept a storm came up and the disciples, who were seasoned fishermen, were afraid. Jesus just kept on sleeping through the storm confident that His Father was completely in control. The disciples on the other hand were so frightened that they awakened Him and begged Him to rescue them.
When we look at Jesus’ response (v.25): “Where is your faith?” we know then that the real problem was not the storm but the disciples’ unbelief. Actually their unbelief was more dangerous than the storm. Without faith in God, they were left to fend for themselves. Life eventually will reach a hopeless end.
Every one, whether a Christian or not, will face some form of challenges during his or her life. Bro/sis, how you deal with the storm is of crucial importance. Jesus saw things the right way. Although the storm looked daunting, He wasn’t. WHY? He saw something else. There is a power greater than the powers of the wind and waves. The disciples looked around and all they could see was danger. They looked within and what they could see was fear. But they failed to look up - by faith trust the God who controls the wind and the waves.
But very often, our response to the problems of life is not that of faith but fear. Fear is the natural reaction we have when we feel we are losing control – when things are not moving according to plan, you’re unable to cope with the work or demands of life, or you needed help but find none. When fear takes over, it prevents us from dealing with the actual problem. Even before we address the difficulty, fear has already crippled you.
The real issue is not with the problem, it is with fear. If the Bible says in Phil 4:13 “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength”, then the real issue is with fear. We are paralyzed by fear. If we truly trust Him, we can find in God the strength and wisdom we need to overcome.
This is the second lesson we learn -
(2) DO NOT LET FEAR PARALYZE US
We could have prayed and see God’s great work, but we were paralyzed by fear. We could have been bold and courageous, and step into the Promised Land (or experienced what God has promised us), but we were paralyzed by fear. We did not move, we did not do anything, because we were overcome by fears. The problem is not the real problem, our fear is.
Fear can paralyze the whole army of Israel because of one giant Goliath. For 40 days they did not do anything. Faith allows a young boy David to kill the giant with one stone. When fear knocks on your door, send faith to open it and no one will be there – fear runs away.
In every situation we face, we need to know that the Lord is able to help us and that He wants to help us. We need to understand and believe that Christ can still the storm and calm the troubled waters. Jesus says in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
But we also have to understand that we need to call on Him in time of need. Faith in God would have overcome their fear. Mark 5:36 Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don’t be afraid; just believe."
Faith and fear cannot dwell together in the same heart.
With faith in God, we will no longer be afraid of what we do not know or what we cannot control, because Someone is. Jesus showed that kind of faith in God. He did not just say that what God says is true. He is acting on what God says because it is true. He knows God and what He has promised for those who put their trust in Him.
The Bible says in Rom 10:17 “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (NKJV)
This is lesson no. (3) FAITH COMES FROM KNOWING THE WORD OF GOD
Jesus was constantly in contact with His Father. He prays often, and He says He speak just what the Father has taught him (John 8:28) and always do what pleases Him (8:29). He is fully aware of what God has said. Luke 4:16 says that when Jesus came to Nazareth, “on the Sabbath day He went into the synagogue, as was his custom.” And He stood up to read.
In order words, every week He would listen to the Word of God being read in the synagogue, and probably at times reading it himself. He was able to turn to the book of Isaiah and read the appropriate passage concerning His work. No wonder, at the age of 12 he was able to discuss the Scriptures with the teachers of the law at the temple. He was a bible reader. That was his custom. He reads the Word, he study it and meditates upon it. And He preached it. He knew the truth of God.
Therefore Jesus was fully aware that God was with them in the storm and was able to guide them through the lake. He said at the beginning that they would go to the other side of the lake. He was not afraid what happened in-between – God’s purpose would surely be accomplished.
No wonder He could sleep with such assurance and peace. Can we? Can we sleep well in the midst of troubles? Can we trust God, and not worry about the storms we face in life – our health, our kids, our job, and our finances?
Rom 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (NKJV) Now more than ever before, it is vital that we follow in His footsteps. We simply cannot afford to cast aside our Bibles and expect to stay strong.
Get in the Word today. Read, listen, study and meditate on it. Then go out and live by faith.
Heb 10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Get to know Him and trust Him. Jesus says to Jairus, whose daughter was very sick, “Do not be afraid, just believe.” (Mark 5:36). It is a command, not a suggestion. To act on fear is to act as though Satan is bigger than God. Let’s put your trust in God. He is on your side. And He is with you.
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Dear friends, God loves you so much that He sent Jesus into this world – so that through His words, His deeds, and His life we will come to know that God exists and we need to return back to Him.
Jesus came and paid the price for our sins. Put your trust in Him as your Saviour, and you’ll reconciled with God. You’ll experience His presence, His love and His help through life.
