Storms and Life

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he 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 awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-41 ESV). Some of the places hit last week with the tornados in Texas are very familiar to me. Van, Texas is in east Texas, not far from two of the cities I pastored in. In fact, I have preached at First Baptist Van on several occasions where they are presently open as an emergency shelter. Remembering those wonderful people, I recalled to our reading today. It is the story of a storm the disciples were caught in while sailing across the Sea of Galilee. As they were making their way across, a huge storm came out of nowhere, which was a common occurrence on this large freshwater lake. The seasoned sailors were terrified as hurricane force winds hit and the boat filled with water. Despite the bad weather, Jesus managed to sleep through it. But the disciples could no longer contain themselves. So they woke up Jesus, asking him if he cared about their dire situation. They were saying, essentially, "Lord, are you even aware of what we are facing right now?" Jesus woke up and calmed the storm; but then dealt with them too. He asked them, "Why are you such timid, fearful ones?" Jesus was saying, "Haven't you learned anything in the time you have spent with me?" Remember, Jesus said, "Let's cross over to the other side!" He did not say, "Let's go drown in the middle of the Sea of Galilee!" He did not promise smooth sailing, but He did promise a safe passage. Listen, it's better to be in a storm with Jesus than anywhere else without Him. I have often said the safest place is in the hand of our Father, regardless of what’s going on around us. Just ask Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego as they walked through the fiery furnace; or ask Daniel in a lion's den; or ask Peter in chains singing in a prison; or even Paul, who finds himself shipwrecked. All of them would testify to the safety of being with Jesus in the boat, even if it is sailing through a fierce storm. You may be in one of those storms now. Sit tight. Jesus knows and will bring you through it safe and sound!