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Calming the Storm

by Duane Huffstutler  
3/31/2010 / Christian Living

Calming the Storm

Mark 4:35-41

This is the story of Jesus calming the storm. Jesus had been teaching most of the day and it was getting late and he was tired. Jesus got into the ship and went to sleep. A big storm came, the ship filled with water and the disciples were afraid, woke up Jesus and he calmed the storm and they all went on to where they were going.

I have heard this preached in several different ways but there are three things in particular that I want to look at directlyHis promise, his presence and his power.

In verse 35 Jesus said let us pass over to the other side. This is his promise; they were going to make it all the way to their destination, the country of Gadara. The disciples didn't understand his promise. They knew that he wanted to go to the other side but they had not yet figured out that this Jesus had control over everything. They were yet to find out that when Jesus said something it was going to happen. This did not mean that there wouldn't be things that would come against them to stop what they were doing. It did not mean that everything would be smooth sailing. In this case there came a big storm, big enough to fill the ship with water, but the ship did not sink. They were going to the other side all they had to do was to stick with Jesus and trust him. But things go bad and what was the first thing they did? They forgot the promise that they were going to the other side. But they did do one thing rightthey ran to Jesus. How many times do we get into situations that we forget the promises he has given to us through his word and get all shook up. Out of all of those times, how many times did we run to Jesus? How many times did WE decide he couldn't handle the situation? Or maybe thought it was too awful and were ashamed to tell Jesus about it and ran away from Jesus. That is very common probably more than we want to admit.

But just like us, Jesus had made them a promise and he was not going to go back on his promise, they were going to the other side. How could Jesus be so confident in his promise? Besides the fact that he was the master of creation, he knew what his destiny here on earth was, it was Calvary to shed his blood for our sins and death had NO control over his destination. There was NO WAY he could die before he reached his destination. They knew he would take care of them so they ran to Jesus and he was asleep but they woke him up. This brings us to the next pointHis Presence.

In his presence was peace. In his presence ALL needs are met. In his presence was confidence. There were very few times that Jesus got mad and that was when they were abusing the House of God, the Temple. At all other times he was so calm and confident that he calmed most every situation. Have you ever been around someone that no matter what happened he was always confident and handled the situation? It brings calm to every situation. People tend to go to him to handle the situation because he can. He always brings confidence to the situation. Jesus always calmed every situation, so everyone went to Jesus to get the answer. The disciples had seen that Jesus was able to handle everything that came up against him which gave them a confidence in him to allow him to take care of them. Has Jesus ever let you down? I am not asking has he put you through some tough tests that you thought that he had let you down, but has he let you down when you came to the end of your rope and nowhere to go? This brings us to His Power.

When they woke him up they were in a panic but he didn't get up grumbling or mad at them. He just got up and took care of the situation. He took control of the situation. He commanded the wind and the sea to be still and they did. Not only did he have confidence and peace about him but he also had authority to command things and they had to obey. He still has the authority to command all things and they have to obey. Before Jesus left the earth he gave his disciples and all that will believe authority over devils, sickness and anything that would normally hurt you. Again that doesn't mean everything is going to be perfectbut it does mean that if we will live the way Christ showed us and do what he wants us to do we wont have to stay under these attacks. We can with the authority he gave us rise above them.

Are you running to Jesus? Do you trust in his Promises and His Power? Or are you running away maybe staying just close enough to get some of the effects but not so close as to have the responsibility that goes with it. If you want everything he has you must get right next to him. You can not stay in the background.

Duane L. Huffstutler, Written 2011, Faithwriters.com
Duane L. Huffstutler is the Sunday School Director at Oak Grove Pentecostal Ministries in Bonifay Florida. All scripture is from the King James Version (1611)

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