“Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39)
After a day of teaching by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus told His disciples, “Let us go over to the other side” (Mark 4:35). Leaving the crowd behind, they all got into a boat and pushed off from shore. While they were crossing, a furious squall came up that threatened to sink the boat. The disciples — several of whom were experienced fisherman — were terrified. Jesus, no doubt exhausted from a long day of ministry, was sound asleep on a cushion. The disciples woke Him, crying fearfully, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38).
Clearly, Jesus was not the least bit worried about drowning. Do you know why? The answer lies in what He had initially said to the disciples: “Let us go over to the other side.” The disciples had completely forgotten the promise Jesus had made before they ever started their trip across the water. The boat the disciples and Jesus were in was unsinkable, because the Word of God had commissioned it to cross the Sea of Galilee, not founder in it. But the disciples forgot that promise, and they panicked. So Jesus spoke just three words — “Quiet! Be still!” — and the water immediately became completely calm.
I often say from the pulpit that when we are reading the Bible, we are to look for ourselves in the story. And when we are reading one of the gospel accounts in the New Testament, we can be completely sure that we aren’t Jesus! Which means that, in this story, you and I are . . . that’s right; we are the disciples, wailing, “We’re gong to drown!”
It is one thing to know about the promises of God; it is another thing altogether to actually take them to heart and believe them–to live in the certainty that God’s promises are real and enduring. When the storm winds begin to blow and the waves of challenge wash over us, we often completely forget our Lord’s promise that we are going to the other side of the lake. We must learn to take Jesus at His Word, rest in His presence, and rely on His power. In His time and in His perfect way, we can be fully assured that we will reach the other side of the lake safely.
One final thing to remember: When this storm blew into the lives of the disciples, they were right in the center of God’s will. They were doing exactly what Jesus had instructed; they were heading across the lake with the Lord. Never forget, Christian, that storms will come to us, and they come for two reasons: God’s glory and our good. Sometimes those storms come when we are in the closest proximity to Jesus. Jesus did not keep this storm from striking the boat they were traveling in, but He most definitely kept the storm from sinking it.
So . . . who is the captain of your ship? Do you still think it’s you? When Jesus is your Captain, you can trust Him to navigate the turbulent waters of life and bring you safely to the other side of every storm wind that blows. Safety is not the absence of storms; it is the presence of Jesus. When Jesus is at the helm of your ship, you can hold fast to God’s sure and certain promise that you will reach His intended destination for your life.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 