Somebody Wake Up God! - By Brother Chuck
"The storm is raging all around us! We're all going to die! Where is Jesus when we need Him? Doesn't He even care that we're all about to drown?"
"He's sleeping, at the back of the boat."
"Sleeping? At a time like this? How can He possibly be sleeping right now?"
"SOMEBODY WAKE UP GOD!!!"
The story I'm about to share with you is a powerful and impactful story that showcases the authority and power of Jesus Christ. This story is a testament to the invaluable teachings and incredible miracles that Jesus performed during His time on earth. It is a powerful reminder of the unwavering faith and trust that we should have in Him, even when life's storms threaten to overwhelm us. It illustrates how Jesus can bring peace and hope to the tumultuous storms we face in life, highlighting the crucial role of steadfast faith in Him.
Jesus Calms the Storm
"As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake (Sea of Galilee)." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Silence! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" The disciples were absolutely terrified. "Who is this man?" they asked each other. "Even the wind and waves obey him" (Mark 4:35-41 (NLT)!
In Mark 4:35-41 (NLT) we read a fascinating account that revolves around Jesus and His disciples. The story captures a moment of both challenge and revelation. Here they are, out to sea when suddenly a violent storm erupts. The wind blows fiercely and towering waves crash against the boat, causing it to take on water rapidly. The violent waves showed no mercy and relentlessly battered the vessel. Driven by their panic, the disciples set out to find Jesus. To their surprise, they discovered Him peacefully asleep on a cushion! Can you believe it? A raging storm threatens to rip the boat apart and there's Jesus, blissfully napping on a cushion! He seems unfazed by the chaos all around Him. They hurriedly woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" As Jesus awoke, He rebuked the wind and commanded the waves to cease their fury, declaring, "Silence! Be still!" Immediately, the storm calmed at His word. Turning to his disciples, he asked them why they were so frightened and if they had yet to find their faith. The disciples were filled with sheer terror. "Who is this man?" they questioned one another. "Even the wind and the waves heed his command!"
This story is a powerful reminder that in the storms of life, we may feel like God is asleep. However the Bible informs us that God "never slumbers or sleeps" (Psalm 121:4 NLT). God may seem distant at times or unresponsive to our prayers, as though He is not present or paying attention. In the chaos of life, have you ever wondered if God has abandoned you? Have you ever felt like your prayers are just hitting a brick wall, never truly connecting with God? At this moment, you might be grappling with a tough medical diagnosis. You could be managing life in a wheelchair, standing by a loved one who is incarcerated, coping with the aftermath of a divorce, or struggling under the pressure of financial difficulties. We all experience moments of feeling overwhelmed, and it's important to remember that God is aware of our pain and the doubts we may have about His presence in our suffering (Psalm 34:18 NLT).
The Bible tells us that "God is our refuge and (our) strength, (He's) an ever-present help in (times of) trouble" (Psalm 46:1 NIV). That means that no matter what challenges or troubles we may face in life, God is always there to provide us with refuge and strength. When it says that God is our refuge, it means that He is our safe place, our shelter in the midst of life's storms. And when it says that God is our strength, it means that He gives us the inner strength and courage to face whatever comes our way. And when it says God is an ever-present help in times of trouble, it means that He is always with us, ready to assist and support us whenever we need Him. We can trust God's faithfulness and find peace in His presence. We can rely on His power to sustain us and help us overcome any obstacles. I encourage you to place your unwavering trust in him and pour out your hearts before him.
"He who sends the storm steers the vessel." –Thomas Adams
Just as Jesus brought peace to the raging storm for his disciples, God has the incredible ability to guide us through the turbulent storms we face in our lives. During the most difficult times of life, the promises of God can be a source of great comfort. We can lay our hearts bare before Him in prayer, assured that He is attentive to our cries and deeply concerned for our well-being. The Scriptures assure us that God knows our storms and has the power to bring us through them (Psalm 107:29 NIV, Isaiah 43:2 NIV). So, when we feel like God is asleep or that our prayers are hitting a brick wall, we can hold on to the truth that God is our refuge and strength. He is our safe haven. In our darkest hours, he is a steadfast presence, capable of calming any storms that life throws our way. We can trust in him without hesitation, knowing he is always by our side, even in the midst of our storms of life.
When Jesus raised His hand to the violent storm, He spoke with authority. He rebuked the wind's rage and commanded the waves to cease their fury, declaring, "Silence! Be still!" They looked at each other in amazement, asking, "Who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey him!"
"Who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey him!"
The disciples were amazed by the
incredible power and authority of Jesus. They had just witnessed him
calming a violent storm with only his words, leaving them in awe of
the power he wielded over the wind and the sea. This display of power
left no doubt in the minds of the men that Jesus was not just any
man, but rather someone with profound divine authority. Even the
forces of nature are subject to his command. Having faith in Jesus is
important because if you remember, He challenged the disciples about
their faith in the midst of the raging storm. He challenges your faith as well.
"Do
you still have no faith" (Mark 4:40 NLT)?
In our own lives, we can take comfort in knowing that the same Jesus who calmed the raging storm, is the One who has power and authority over every situation we face. We can trust in Him and have faith that He is steering the course, even when circumstances appear chaotic and overwhelming. From this point on, the disciples understood the true majesty and power of Jesus. How about you? Have you yet to find your faith? Or are you fully confident in Him, having absolute faith? Do you understand the true majesty and power of Jesus?
"Sometimes the Lord rides out the storm with us and other times He calms the restless sea around us. Most of all, He calms the storm inside us in our deepest inner soul." – Lloyd John Ogilvie
Conclusion: Who Do We Think God Really Is?
Who do I think, God really is? Our perception of God influences how we respond to the challenges and difficulties we encounter throughout our lives. The disciples were confronted with that very question. They looked at each other asking, "Who is this man? Even the wind and waves obey him!" They realized the forces of nature are subject to his command. From then on, they understood the genuine greatness and the divine power of Jesus. The fierce storm and His ability to soothe the raging Sea of Galilee revealed to them the essence of His true nature. It showed them that Jesus was no ordinary man, but He was someone with divine power and authority. It revealed to them the magnitude of Jesus' authority over all that exists in creation. This should serve as a reminder to us that we can have confidence in the power and authority of Jesus in our lives, even in the midst of storms and challenges. We can approach our problems with confidence and trust in God. Our perception of God can shape our attitudes and actions, leading us to rely on Him and seek His guidance in every situation. God is always with us, and when we trust in Him, we can endure and triumph over any trials or challenges that come our way.
Join Me in a Moment of Prayer
The way we view God truly does influence how we respond to life's storms. Just as Jesus silenced the wind and the waves, we can rely on God to calm the storms we face in life. So as we navigate the storms that life throws our way, let us not forget to rely on God and trust Him to lead us to calmer waters.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for the reminder in Mark 4:35-41 that even the wind and the sea obey your command. We thank you that you are always near and always watching over us. We are grateful for the assurance that even when we may feel like you are asleep, you are always aware of our needs and ready to help us. Help us to trust in your perfect timing and to find peace in knowing that you never sleep nor slumber. Help us to find our faith and understand your true majesty and power. We ask for your grace to be with us always, guiding us and giving us strength, knowing that you are with us every step of the way.
In Jesus' name, Amen
Jesus Calms the Storm on the Sea of Galilee
Peace Be Still (feat. Lauren Daigle) // The Belonging Co // All The Earth
Special thanks to The Lumo Project and Free Bible Images for making their images available. © The Lumo Project Images used by permission. Licensed exclusively by Free Bible Images. All rights reserved.
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