June 19, 2018
I AM PERSUADED THAT HE IS ABLE:
TO CALM OUR STORMS
Mark 4:34 But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples. 35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? 39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
I felt it was important to let you read this entire story. As you slowly read this passage, here are some thoughts we need to apply to our lives.
THERE IS ALWAYS THE RISK OF STORMS WHEN YOU FOLLOW CHRIST IN THE SHIP
If you stay home and do nothing, you probably won’t have a storm. You and I better understand when you get in His ship that there will be storms.
IT IS NICE TO KNOW CHRIST NEVER SENDS US INTO THE STORM BY OURSELVES
In verse thirty-five, Jesus carefully states, “Let us pass over”. This means that Jesus was in the ship with them, and by the way, Jesus is in the ship with you. He will never leave us or forsake us. Jesus was in the ship before the storm ever came. Why does the Bible say that Jesus was asleep on a pillow? To show that Jesus was not only asleep, he was comfortable.
STORMS ARE ALWAYS HARDER WHEN YOU ARE IN THE DARK
Verse thirty-five says, “when the even was come”. Storms are more difficult when you can’t see. That’s the way life is sometimes. There’s so much in life that we cannot see and that is when we must trust Christ even more.
CHRIST WAS NOT AROUSED BY THE DANGER HE WAS AWAKENED BY THE DISCIPLES
Jesus did not wake up from the storm, he woke up because the disciples called out to Him. Is it not great to know that Jesus always hears us when we call?
CHRIST DID NOT FEEL FEAR, HE FELT THE FEAR OF THE DISCIPLES
God will never put on us more than we can bear. The Bible says we have a high priest that is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. The Bible says that the Lord knows our frame and remembers that we are as dust. Jesus knew what they were feeling, and He cared. It sure is wonderful to know whatever storm you are going through today that Jesus really does know how you feel and He cares.
CHRIST ALWAYS PROVIDES PEACE IN THE STORM
God never said “peace” to the disciples. He said “peace” to the storm. The disciples already had access to His peace before the storm came. They were never in any real danger. God does not have to stop the storm for you to have peace.
WE MUST GET TO THE POINT THAT OUR FAITH IN THE SAVIOR IS GREATER THAN OUR FEAR OF THE STORM
God does not expect us to not be afraid. He just wants us to get to the point that our faith is bigger than our fear. Faith is believing and being “persuaded that He is able”. He is able to calm our storms, and He is able to keep us calm in the midst of our storms.