(Mark 4:35-41)
35 On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” 36 After dismissing the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. 37 And a fierce gale of wind developed, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling with water. 38 And yet 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?” 39 And He 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? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who, then, is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
Well, Jesus knew that they would be safe and no one would perish in this event, and was therefore able to rest in faith and security... just like we should strive to rest in the Lord during the storms in our lives, whether they are physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Resting in the Lord is to call upon Him, and let Him calm whatever situation/s we are experiencing. Yet, notice, Jesus did not still the storm as soon as it started. Just as God will sometimes allow us to go through times of struggles, waiting for us to call on Him, and then rest in Him, trusting that He will do something about it - because - He does care!!!
I kind of have to laugh. I would have some fear, embarrassment and regret if I had just accused the Lord of not caring, and then He got up and calmed the storm with His words. Yet, how often will we accuse God of not caring, just because God isn't giving us what we think we need in the timing that we think it should be.
It is actually when we do go through storms that we can grow in our faith and personal relationship in the Lord, because then, when we experience how He manages the situation/s, we will trust Him more and more. And often - the storm/s that we are experiencing are more within our own heart! It is only in Him, that we will experience His peace, calmness, comfort, strength, security and certain hope!
As we grow stronger in our faith, we will realize and understand that God is sovereign. In knowing all things, and because He cares, He knows just how to help us, and when to help us. In being all-powerful, He is able to do far more than we can even imagine. Therefore, we will learn to be talking to Him more and more in prayer, and asking Him for His help, immediately. I mean, why wait?! And we will learn that we don't have to fear anyone or anything - when - we are close to the Lord! Because He is everywhere-present, He is always there. So, let's ask ourselves, "Where are we in our relationship with God?"
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