The Blessing In The Storm
Study text: Mark 4:35-41
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he [Jesus] 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?
A few weeks ago Veronica and I purchased the Kirk Franklin, Nu Nation
Project CD. On that CD is a song we really enjoy entitled "Blessing In
The Storm." As I began to meditate on the title alone the Lord really
began to minister to me.
First let’s look at the title, "Blessing In The Storm." Now whose
storm is it? Well, we know for a fact that Jesus has no storms, so the storms
must be ours. How can we say that? Because the disciples were the ones that
were worried. The 38th verse tells us, " And He [Jesus]
was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow:" So this couldn’t
be Jesus’ storm; He was sleeping peacefully.
Let Us Digress Purposefully: A few years ago, Veronica and I took a cruise
to Mexico for our one year anniversary. On our way back to Florida things took
an interesting turn; we ran into a storm. Now from what we were told, the
ship’s stabilizers malfunctioned. These devices are supposed to keep the ship
from giving you that "rough ride," especially during a storm. Well,
as I said, they didn’t. Hundreds of people were sick and not showing up for
dinner every night. I can tell you this, because I was there every night — and
I was eatin’ well — but the thing that really upset me was my
"sweetie" was sick. The only thing she wanted to do was get off that
roller-coaster. And believe me, that’s what it felt like–a roller-coaster.
Now back to our text: After rocking and rolling for a bit, and after
watching water spill into the boat, the disciples realized, "Hey we’ve got
some Supernatural help in the back. Let’s get Him up here." So they went
and woke up Jesus– "The Stabilizer"–with a capital "S."
Unlike the ones on our cruise ship, Jesus– The Stabilizer never fails. The
disciples thought that He didn’t care if they perished, but of course they soon
realized that they were wrong.
In a matter of minutes (perhaps even seconds) Jesus rebuked the wind, and
said unto the sea, "Peace, be still" and
the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (39th). What does this tell us?
Well, let’s look at the storms in our lives. What are they? Basically the
storms are satanic attacks, whether they are financial, spiritual, mental,
physical or emotional. How can we say there is a blessing in the storm?
Remember, we are told in Hebrews 13:5 " …for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee." So if Jesus will not forsake us and is
always with us then THE BLESSER is in the storm. And….. If the BLESSER (Jesus)
is in the storm then there is a BLESSING (deliverance) in the storm.
And….. If the BLESSER (Jesus) of all BLESSINGS (deliverance) is in the
storm then we can get BLESSED (empowered to prosper) in the storm.
Soooo….. If the BLESSED (You & I) have the BLESSER (Jesus) of all
BLESSINGS (deliverance) in the storm then WHY ARE WE LETTING THE STORM
CONTINUE? Well that’s for one of two reasons.
(1) We haven’t used wisdom to call on the Blesser [the Stabilizer].
Just like the disciples called Him, you’d better call Him. But unlike the
disciples, don’t worry. In Matthew 6:27 Jesus says, "Who of you by
worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (NIV). We should call Him
with the confidence that He cares and that He will handle it. "Casting all
your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7, KJV). No matter
what you’re going through, call Him. He’s sleeping in the "hinder part of
your ship" (your spirit). And if you call Him, He will say to your storms,
"Peace, Be Still."
(2) We haven’t realized that we can tell the storm – "Peace Be
Still."
Huh??!!!! Yes, if you are saved by God YOU can tell your storms, "Peace be
still" and they will have to leave. You see if you understand the
authority Jesus has given you, you’ll understand that the storms don’t have a
"say in the matter" – YOU DO!!! This is why Jesus spoke to the
disciples the way he did in the 40th verse. He said, "Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no
faith?" In other words, Jesus was telling them, "Didn’t I give
you the power to overcome the storms in your lives?" (And to have power to
heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils. Mark 3:15)
The only reason why the disciples couldn’t stop the storm, and the only reason
why the disciples couldn’t drive the demon (the storm) out of the boy in
Matthew 17:14-20 is because they didn’t have enough faith:
19 Then came the disciples to
Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say
unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall
be impossible unto you.
Yes, you have the power to tame the storms of your life. By the power of
Jesus tell the storm, "Peace be still." And the storm will have to
"cease!!!" Glory To God!!! Storms in our lives… Get ready to
move!!!!! Because we are calling you out of our lives Today!!! Not next week,
not next month, not next year, but right now — "Storms of Sorrow, Storms
of Fear, Storms of Doubt, Storms of Anger, Storms of Wrath, Storms of Jealousy,
Storms of Self-Doubt, Storms of Envy, Storms of Greed, Storms of Pity, Storms
of Hopelessness, Storms of Hatred… We, the Children of God, Have Three Words
For You: "PEACE, BE STILL!!!" And in Jesus’ Name, You Can’t Come
Back!!!!!