“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 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. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 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. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” 41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey!” (Mark 4:35 (NKJV)
I have often wondered why Jesus tells the disciples in the boat “O ye of little faith!” I mean really! Like He expected them to calm the storm, but had not the faith to do so! I think it’s evident that Jesus did not expect this of them, but I suspect something else is going on here: a lesson is being taught.
It’s worth noting that, knowing the storm was coming, Jesus still lead them into it. Being a Christian does not eliminate the storms which life will bring. We may even be lead into them, just like the disciples, in order that we might be able to learn something and grow in faith. God was aware of the coming of the various storms which the COVID 19 crisis has brought to many people: whether by direct infection or that of a loved one; whether by losing a job or a business; or even the stress and uncertainty of being in long term isolation or on furlough. To trust in the pursuit of happiness and the avoidance of pain and suffering, is to live in denial of reality; because, whether we are lead into a storm or not, storms will come. But we can rest, assured that:
“…God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
God will see us through the storms of life and not only that, there is always something to learn and grow by as we go through them; the storms of life serve to benefit us in ways that a life of pleasure, ease and plenty will not. Do you think maybe, that instead of accusing the disciples of lacking the faith to do big things, like being unable to calm the storm, that Jesus wanted them to learn to trust Him and not be afraid despite it!
Did Peter really think that Jesus didn’t care if they drowned? Perhaps the sense here is, “Why aren’t you panicking or doing something, we’re going to drown!?” Or “How could you be so calm, we’re gonna die!?” But Jesus was still in control and perhaps like Him, asleep on a pillow, we need to learn to:
“Be still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10)
We can ‘be still’ because God fights for us. Even in the ‘storms of life’, God is always in control.
He will finish what He started.
God has got you!
Simply Trust!
Watch this video “Hope Beyond Coronavirus” :
Walking With the Word : Paul Curd 