Jesus Is In The Boat

Mark 4:37-41
"The same day, when the even was come, He saith
unto them, let us pass over unto the other side. And
when they had sent away the multitude, they took
 Him even as He was in the ship, and there were also
 with Him other little ships. And there arose a great
storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship, so
 that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part
of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awoke Him,
and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we
 perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind and said
 unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased,
and there was a great calm. And He said unto
 them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that
 you have no faith?"

In our text, we see that Jesus told His disciples they
were going to pass over unto the other side. While they
were in the boat on the way, there was a storm of hurricane strength. The waves beat unto the ship so fiercely
 that the ship was soon full of water. Instead of utilizing the weapons of faith, remembering Who was in the
boat with them, the disciples were afraid.

The disciples woke Jesus and asked Him. ‘don’t you care
 that we are about to die?' Jesus got up and rebuked
 the wind and said to the sea, 'peace be still.’ However,
He also rebuked His disciples, asking them why they
were so afraid, and how was it they had no faith?

Fear of the storm was in control of the disciples, and
 as a result, they panicked and lost their focus.
Earlier that day Jesus had been speaking to them in
 parables. The Bible says that when Jesus and the
disciples were alone He expounded all things to them.
The Greek for ‘expounded’ means ‘to explain.’ After
spending a day in the presence of Jesus, we would think
that when the storm came, they would know how
to react. However, instead of resting quietly in the
 knowledge that Jesus was with them, they reacted
 to the storm as though they were alone and
without power. Although they called on Him to
save them, they were not fully trusting in Him. They
 had forgotten that He had said they would go
 to the other side.

We can identify with the disciples. At times, we have
a tendency to focus on the things that are going on around us instead of the One that is in control of all things. When that happens, reality may seem overwhelming, and the problems appear unsolvable. However, we must realize to be fearful
is to lack faith in God and in His provision for us. True faith focuses on God, not on the things that are happening.

Jesus knew when they got into the boat that there would
 be a storm. We, as Christians, can expect storms in
our lives. They should not take us by surprise. Jesus
tells us in John 16:33 that we shall have tribulations
 (troubles, burdens, afflictions, pressures) in this world.
He also said to be of good cheer (to have courage)
 for He has overcome (conquered, subdued) the world.

The storm that occurred while Jesus and the disciples
were in that boat was real. Our adverse situations,
troubles and trials are real. However, our minds and
hearts should be centered and focused on Him at all times.
 Isaiah 26:3 says: “Thou wilt keep him in prefect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
When they are, as the storms come, we can have absolute confidence in God and assurance of victory. We will not be swayed by the circumstances, but by faith know that
He is in the boat (storms) with us and He will bring us to the ‘other side.’ He will speak ‘peace be still’ to the winds and waves that are menacing us. We can use our weapons
of faith to remain calm when the storms are trying to
 take away our joy and peace. When we fear our
circumstances, our faith is not in control.

I know that in my own life I have encountered many
storms. And like the disciples, at times I have cried out,
‘Lord, don’t you care what is happening to me?’
However, He reminds me that He is with me and is aware
of what is going on. He tells me He will ‘make all things
work together for good.’ It does not matter what we
are feeling, God is always there and He hears our
 prayers. He is concerned about the things that concern
us and is walking through our storms with us. We must
never forget that Jesus is ‘in the boat.’ His Word says
 that He is a very present help in trouble.

Father I pray that if anyone reading this is going through
 a storm and are experiencing many trials, that you
would remind them that You are ‘in the boat’ with them
and are fully aware.  Matthew 10:29 says:
"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one
 of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father."
He knows when a sparrow falls and His Word
also says In Matthew 10:30-31
 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than
many sparrows."

Father I pray that you help them
to remain calm and focused on You in the midst of
their troubles, for our help comes from You, Lord.
Father I thank you that you are always with us
and we do not have to fear anything that happens
 to us. Father, I thank you that you are in control
and we can have complete faith in Your goodness
and mercy. We can trust your ability to turn things
around, and speak sweet peace to our souls. Amen.

Shirley
From The Heart
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