Peace in the Storm

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”

Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But Her was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!

 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. Mark 4:35-41; 5:1

 

Father in heaven, thank You for this story for we see ourselves there.

Perhaps we are in a great storm at present. We are confused because we stepped out at Your word. We took Jesus with us. We expected smooth sailing. Then suddenly out of nowhere we were pelted by troubles – natural disasters, dementia or terminal illness in the family, violence and abuse, mental or physical ill-health, accidents, addictions, strained and severed relationships, financial loss and distress, overwhelming grief and the list goes on…and on…and on!

Perhaps we have been abandoned, slandered or betrayed by those closest to us. We may have expected this from an enemy but never this stoning.

We look around us at the other little boats with us - our friends, wider family, neighbours, workmates, communities- also being beaten by life. Some just children-hungry, fearful- caught up in the messed-up lives of their parents’ abuse, addictions and poverty.

Perhaps we are exhausted from trying to bail out the water ourselves. We wonder at Your silence. Where is justice? Don’t You care that we are perishing?

But…Nevertheless…we set aside our circumstances, our turbulent feelings, our unanswered questions. We cry out to You alone. We look to You and Your word for strength, courage and peace. We thank You in faith for these storms. You are in control of them. You have Your way and purpose in them for our lives. You are more interested in our character than our comfort. We trust with confident expectation in Your love, mercy, grace, power and purposes.

Thank You that Jesus forewarned us of tribulations. We ask for His peace to enter our hearts and still our frenzied imaginations. We claim Your promise, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

We pray in Jesus’ name. Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus.

 

Supporting Verses

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6

 

Blessed be the LORD,

For He has shown His lovingkindness in a strong city!

For I said in my haste,

“I am cut off from before Your eyes”;

Nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplication

When I cried out to You.

Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints!

For the LORD preserves the faithful,

And fully repays the proud person.

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 31:21-24

 

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me;

Then I could bear it.

Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;

Then I could hide from him.

But it was you, a man my equal,

My companion and my acquaintance.

We took sweet counsel together,

And walked to the house of God in the throng.

Psalm 55:12-14

 

 

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,

And will not at all acquit the wicked.

The LORD has His way

In the whirlwind and in the storm,

And the clouds are the dust of His feet.

Nahum 1:3

 

Fire and hail, snow and clouds;

Stormy winds, fulfilling His word.

Psalm 148:8

 

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

 

You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

Trust in the LORD forever,

For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Isaiah 26:3-4