“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.”
Mark 4:39
Remembering and resting in Who He is (His Person/Character) and what He has can do (His Promises/Conduct) will always produce “saving/pleasing” faith within us (Heb. 11:6).
It was a “mega-storm” that produced “mega-fear.” But, soon their “Mega-Lord” would produce a “mega-calm” by His “Mega-Power” in an attempt to produce “mega-faith” in them.
The Greek word “megas” is used in vv.37, 39 and 41 to describe the storm winds, subsequent calm and disciples’ fear after Jesus demonstrated His Lordship over creation. And, it’s no accident the Heavenly Father inspired John Mark to choose this word—for in our day-and-age of “bigger is better. . .super-size it. . .mega-this and mega-that”. . .how we need a faith that is strong enough to weather any storm and simple enough to continue trusting as a small child would his father or mother.
The disciples had seen Jesus perform quite a few miracles prior to their hellish nightmare that night on the Sea of Galilee. Even a cursory examination of Mark’s accounts (1:21-2:12) reveals how they’d seen Him do some pretty miraculous things.
So, the question is “Why were they so fearful and faithless?” (v.40).
And, it’s good that we ask ourselves that question the next time we’re faced with a storm (proverbial or literal) and are acting just like them.
It’s easy to possess great boldness of faith and bravado when the sun’s shining and there’s not a single cloud in the sky. It’s another thing to demonstrate them when the wind’s howling, the lightning’s crackling and the angry waves are threatening to turn your little boat (life) into an open-hull submarine.
Fear certainly has a way of tainting our faith if we let it.
Let it get its foot in the door and soon it’ll set up housekeeping in our heart’s parlor. That’s why it’s so important to let Jesus answer the door when it comes knocking—for when it sees Him standing there it’ll cry, “Oops, wrong house!” and flee for the hills.
That’s why it’s important for us to always ask “What manner of Power is this?” when we think of Jesus’ living within our hearts. When He comes in to stay at the new birth, He brings with Him everything that He is and everything that He possesses: His Power. . .His Promises. . . His “fruits” (Gal. 5:22-23). Truly, He is “God’s most precious Treasure in cracked, clay pots” (II Cor. 4:7). Hallelujah!!
Therefore, ask the Holy Spirit today to help you to “pull down any strongholds of sin in your life as you cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God by bringing every thought under Jesus’ control” (II Cor. 10:3-5). That way His Resurrection Power will have full reign in us to free us from fear and further transform us into His likeness. Amen and amen.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated November 27, 2010