Mark 6:45-50 – Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
THEME OF THE DAY. JESUS AND THE STORMS IN LIFE. Today’s scripture was my portion of reading in my yearly Bible reading plan. It is familiar to all of us, but today, it jumped off the page with newness and clarity in its application. And the lessons are many and apply to all of us who are seeking to live for Christ. All of these lessons are in the context of “storms”, not a literal one as the disciples were encountering, but in the ones we face every day of life – emotional storms, spiritual storms, situational storms, relational storms . . . you may add a “personal storm” to the list. So, since these are realities in all our lives, let’s consider some valuable truths behind all our storms.
First, storms don’t just happen. God creates storms. God sends storms into our lives. He not only allows them, but sends them. Not to hurt or destroy us, but to help and develop us. We cannot learn deep, life-changing Biblical truths or have significant encounters with God without significant storms emptying ourselves of our self-sufficiency. To reach that goal, God uses storms in our lives.
Next, storms cannot be avoided. Today’s scripture begins with “Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat.” One doesn’t get into a boat to sit at the pier or mooring. Jesus sends them into the teeth of a tailor-made storm. For us? Don’t try to wiggle out of the sovereignty of God. All it will do is increase the storm. God is at work in us and that work happens through storms which cannot be avoided. If we are His children, we must not try to be “Jonah-like” and run from God.
Third truth about storms is so encouraging. What is Jesus doing AFTER He sends His men to a storm-tossed sea? He goes to pray and we know why He prayed so much – to enjoy time with His Father and intercede for His people. Remember His prayer of Peter – “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32). When the storms of life seem to drown us, cling to the soul-strengthening truth of Jesus, the Sender of the storm, is praying for us in the storm.
A final lesson about storms and Jesus is also very encouraging. What did Jesus do when it seemed the disciples would be lost at sea? He came to them with the words, “Take heart; it is I. Don’t be afraid.” Friends, the One who created the storm; the One who won’t allow us to avoid the storm; the One who prays with us in the storm is also the One who promises to be with us in the storm. His presence makes all the difference. Trust Him. He knows what He is doing and we can rest, even in the rough storms of life, in His always loving and guiding hand.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me to see every loving action of You in the storms of my life.”
QUOTE: “God sends our storms, controls our storms, prays in our storms, and calms our storms.”