Why are you so fearful? Are you still without faith?”

Jesus had told them “Let’s go to the other side” (of lake Galilee Mark 4:35), but a great storm had arisen. This was no storm in a teacup, the waves were filling the boat, the disciples were panicking, and  Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat on a pillow. They woke Him asking “Teacher! Don't You care that we're going to die?” Jesus spoke to the storm saying “Peace, be still,” the wind and the waves died down, and there was a great calm. He then asked the question in the title of this post (verses 37- 40). You have to wonder what Jesus had expected! These were experienced fishermen, used to the weather changing for the worse at the drop of a hat, and let’s get it, in the natural course of events,  they were very likely to drown. But Jesus had given them a Word essentially telling them we are going to the other side (verse 35 again) “We will get there!”

The Lord reminded me of some advice I gave rather glibly, to a young young Christian many years ago. It was “Don’t doubt in the dark, what God has revealed in the light.” He then proceeded to test me, and in doing so was essentially asking me “Can you take your own advice Phil?” I don’t remember the nature of the test, or even if I passed it (probably not, or perhaps not too well). But part of what I want to say this morning, is that when we follow Jesus we can expect trials, difficulties, temptation and opposition (1 Peter 4:12). It can come in all sorts of guises, but we can expect storms in life. Jesus is with us of course,  because He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). However, it might just feel at times like He is asleep,  and we can, as the disciples did, panic and/or jump to the conclusion that He does not care! And I have to wonder if it was doubting that He cared, that was the source of the rebuke.

The word “still” in the question, indicates part of Jesus’ expectation. They had seen His authority (something Mark emphasizes over and over) and many healing miracles. The storm  was something new of course, but if we are to grow in faith, the new tests essentially have to be new! And the first thing we have to do in the new “storm,” is to remember what He has done in the past, to remember any Word or promise He has underlined or spoken to us, and to choose not to panic. And Jesus is showing us in this passage what to do. We are to take up the authority we have been given as sons and daughters of the living God, and speak to the storm, to the mountain, to the problem. Jesus is our example, and His prayers over and over were commands (i.e Mark 5:41; 7:34 etc.).

Father, are we still without faith this morning? Have we let You down again? You expect so much Lord, but that is because You love us and want us to walk in the authority that You have given. Paul tells us about the exceeding greatness of Your power in us and through us (Ephesians 1:19). Give us a deeper revelation of these things Lord, so that we may walk as You would have us walk in this wicked,  and hurting World in Jesus Name Amen