Peace in the Storm
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” – Mark 4:35-41.
The Solomon Islands are still suffering from the effects of a tsunami caused by an 8.0 earthquake. It has been reported that the death toll is now 25 and thousands of people are homeless. Waves as high as five meters (about 15 feet) swept people away and destroyed buildings but thankfully, the latest tsunami was not as severe as the one in 2004 when 230,000 people were killed. However, the residents of the Solomon Islands are suffering just as much and are in great need of aid and prayer.
Hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes and earthquakes all cause us to search for answers in the spiritual realm and drive us to our knees in prayer. I now have a storm shelter where I can find safety if a severe storm with a possible tornado is headed my way. There have been many times in the past when I did not have a storm shelter and tried to find safety in a closet, or a bathroom. I can tell you that I was praying much harder when I was facing the storm unprotected in the closet or bathroom than when I am in the storm shelter.
The disciples also faced the fury of nature as a raging storm threatened to swamp their boat. It must have been quite a storm because there were experienced fishermen on board that no doubt had faced bad storms in the past. The storm was bad enough that they were calling out to the Lord for Him to save them from the onslaught of it. Then, they were shocked, surprised, and in the end fearful that Jesus could by merely saying, “Peace, be still!” bring an end to the storm.
How bad does the storm have to become in your life before you call out to the Lord? I am not just talking about nature’s storms and disasters. What about the health storms, emotional storms, financial storms, unemployment storms, relational storms…? At what point do you realize you need help, which is beyond your ability, beyond any human ability to provide?
If you are facing your own personal tsunami, remember that Jesus still has the power to calm the storm whatever it may be. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses (passeth – KJV; transcends – NIV; surpasses all comprehension – NASB) all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).”
(The Lord still has the power to bring peace to your life.)