"A Boat In The Middle Of The Storm" (Mark 4:35-41)

Our passage says, "On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. 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?" 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. And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They became very much afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Wow, what an awesome story! I have never shared an experience of being in a boat in the middle of a violent and deadly storm, but I have spoken with some who have. They say it's very frightening! It's frightening because it could be deadly and you have no control over it! Mark teaches this passage to describe similar circumstances of life in which we may find ourselves. I want to emphasize that I'm not referring to circumstances in which we have any control over the outcome. In other words, we could find ourselves in circumstances because of our doing something wrong and many times make it better by obeying the Lord! Or, if we're operating in the wisdom of God we may avoid a difficult circumstance. I'm not talking about these kinds of situations. I'm referring to the type of circumstance over which you have no control whatsoever! I'm talking about those times when something arises that totally overwhelms, something that tosses you around, and threatens to destroy you; and that you literally can't do anything to bring it to a close, or at the least affect its outcome! From our human perspective, we're totally at the mercy of circumstances, like a boat in the middle of a storm! I have great news for you! As long as we're in the same boat with the Lord Jesus Christ, we won't ever have to be afraid! That's because our Sovereign Lord cares! Call out to Him! Be encouraged!