Power Point - October 21, 2005
October 21, 2005
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 4:37-41
Some of life’s storms are demonic in nature. They are an attack of evil—of Satan and his army. Other storms are the result of our own disobedience. When we step out of bounds and out of the will of God, we experience turmoil. And some storms are a result of God’s discipline in our lives. In order to grow, we must face adversity in our lives. Pain produces growth and faith.
Sometimes the Lord has to bring us to a point of desperation and abject failure in order to get our attention. On this day and in this hurricane of hurt that surrounded the disciples, the sails were tattered and turned to rags, the boards were creaking and splintering, and the water was pouring in. They were out of human solutions.
Oftentimes, our Lord brings us to the end of all human solutions in order to bring us to Himself and show us His power. He waits for us in the storm to cry to Him and to call out for help. All of us, many times even the strongest Christians, find ourselves swamped by circumstances. We wonder, “God, where are you? What’s happening in my life? Don’t you care?”
Trusting God produces questions that we can’t answer. But in the middle of our storm, we can know this—Jesus is present. Practice peace, pray for peace, make peace, and give peace to others by sharing the message of Christ with them. If you’re in one of life’s storms, and your boat is taking in water and going under, invite Christ to take over and experience His peace.
FAITH IS DISCOVERING AND ANCHORING YOUR HEART TO THE PRINCE OF PEACE DURING LIFE’S STORMS.
