~ “Even The Wind and The Waves Obey
Him” ~
Principle From Scripture ~ “O Lord God of hosts, Who is mighty like
You, O Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You. You
rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them” (Psalm 89:8-9). “But My faithfulness and My
mercy shall be with Him, and in My name his horn shall be exalted. Also I
will set his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers” (Psalm
89:24-25). “Those who go down to the sea
in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He
commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea”
(Psalm 107:23-25).
Example 1
~ “Immediately
Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side,
while He sent the multitudes away. And
when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to
pray. Now when evening came, He was
alone there. But the boat was now in the
middle of the sea, tossed by
the waves, for the wind was contrary.
Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus
went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled,
saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried
out for fear.
“But
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’ And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it
is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat,
he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But
when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink
he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’
“And
immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O
you of little faith, why did you doubt?’
And when they got into the boat,
the wind ceased. Then those who were
in the boat came and worshiped Him,
saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:22-33, parallel passages
are Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:15-21).
Thoughts
~ (1) Jesus is aware of our
struggles in this life. At times it may
seem He is unaware, but He always
knows our situation! (2) Sometimes He
sends us into situations where He knows we will face difficult times—but it is
always for our good. In our future
heavenly home we will understand His purposes with regard to our life on earth.
(3) If we keep strong faith, He will
perform miracles through us.
Example 2
~ “When
evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they
took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 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 4:35-41,
parallel passages are Matthew 8:23-27 and Luke 8:22-25).
Thoughts
~ (1) While our Savior was asleep
in the boat He was fully aware of their struggles. He came to them in their hour of need. In the process they learned more fully how
trustworthy He is. We can be assured
that He will not allow us to pass through waters more turbulent than we can
endure and if we trust Him we will emerge stronger because of the experience. “Blessed is the man
who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the
crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12). (2) Scripture assures us that if we live the
life the way our Lord desires that we live, we will see difficult times—but we
can remain calm. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have
peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “You will keep him in
perfect peace [regardless of circumstances], whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).
the key question:
“Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important
question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it
incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!
~ Robert
Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE
NOW
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