Mark 4:35-41 PHILLIPS On the evening of that day, he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they sent the crowd home and took him with them in the little boat in which he had been sitting, accompanied by other small craft. Then came a violent squall of wind which drove the waves aboard the boat until it was almost swamped. Jesus was in the stern asleep on the cushion. They awoke him with the words, “Master, don’t you care that we’re drowning?” And he woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Hush now! Be still!” The wind dropped and everything was very still. “Why are you so frightened? What has happened to your faith?!” he asked them. But sheer awe swept over them and they kept saying to each other, “Who ever can he be?—even the wind and the waves do what he tells them!”
Philippians 4:6-7 PHILLIPS Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.
Observation
“Jesus was in the stern asleep on the cushion.” I spent many years working on boats on the Pacific Ocean. When the waters are relatively calm, the movement will rock you to sleep. When the waters are rough and stormy, the movement can violently launch you out of your bunk. This boat must have been rocking wildly in the wind-driven waves to cause such anxiety among Jesus’ disciples, because in this boat were several seasoned fisherman (who were experienced boat handlers) sailing on their home fishing grounds. Yet, Jesus is asleep. He is sure He is going to get to the other side of the Sea of Galilee regardless of the distractions or circumstances that confront Him on the way. He turned this into a wonderful teaching moment for these men who would all be asked to live, serve and suffer through the storms of persecution that were to come.
Impact On Me
“Don’t worry over anything whatever.“ These verses have been mainstays in my storms, cornerstones of my faith, bulwarks against the assaults of the Enemy, over the years. They are the keys to powerful weapons of God’s warfare during stormy times to combat my anxiety. Anxiety is defined as “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.” I have learned through many storms that I cannot predict when they will arise nor can I control them when they do. No matter how much experience, knowledge or skill I have, the circumstances can be overwhelming, creating anxiety, if I focus on all the negative possible outcomes (They awoke him with the words, “Master, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”). These verses remind me that no matter how furious and powerful the storm, Jesus is in my boat with me – either asleep or ready to calm the storm in me when I call on Him.
Philippians 4:6-7 MSG Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Devotion
Lord Jesus, when the storms arise, I want to remember to look to the stern of the boat. If You are sleeping there, I want to sit down next to You and hold on, letting go of my frets and worries. I remember that You said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV). I ask You by Your Holy Spirit to help me in the storms of life to pray and be aware that You are asleep in my boat so Your presence can displace the worries in my life. Help me to pass Your peace on to others in their stormy ties so they will come to know You through my life. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 