Smiling At The Storm

1. CHRIST WAS ABOARD

"Let us pass over unto the other side...he was in the ship"

Don’t be afraid – "Fear not" occurs 197 times in scripture

Trust when you are afraid – Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee". John Newton’s hymn - "With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm". Children’s chorus - "With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm".

2. CHRIST WAS ASLEEP

"And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow"

What peace, what serenity, what tranquillity!

Christians should be like this.

"Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;

Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.

O to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine".

(George Wade Robinson 1838-1877)

3. CHRIST WAS AWESOME

a) He rebuked satanic foes – "Be still" literally means "Be muzzled". The idea is of vicious dogs coming to attack someone but because they are muzzled they can do no harm. The hounds of hell (Satan and his demons) were trying to kill the Saviour on Galilee so that He would never make it to Calvary. But Christ rebuked them and they went away with their tails between their legs. Let us pray that He will rebuke the powers of darkness that are so active today.

b) He rescued scared friends – He still does this for His people when the trial has achieved its purpose.

4. CHRIST WAS ADORED

"And they feared exceedingly"

There are two types of fear in this passage. The first is the wrong kind, the second is the right kind. It is what we call godly fear and sadly there is not much of it around today.

Unbelievers should be full of the first kind of fear.

Matthew 10:28 "fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell".

"Souls in danger, look above,

Jesus completely saves;

He will lift you by His love

Out of the angry waves.

He’s the Master of the sea,

Billows His will obey;

He your Saviour wants to be—

Be saved today.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When no-one but Christ could help,

Love lifted me!"

(James Rowe 1865-1933)