Opportunity Jesus: STORMS (Ch. 24)
As we continue to work through the gospels via “Opportunity Jesus” to have a better understanding of who Jesus is and the OPPORTUNITIES we have to trust and follow him, we get a picture of how to respond to the STORMS of life in chapter 24.
After a long day, Jesus and his disciples set out to cross the Sea of Galilee and get some REST. A STORM arises and terrifies seasoned fisherman, we find Jesus RESTING on the ship (Mark 4:35-41).
The storm that was to build their faith has exposed their faith’s weakness.
What can we learn from this to strengthen our faith (all from chapter 24):
1.God always finishes what He starts. He says they are to go to the other side of the sea, and Jesus is going to see that happen, miracle or not. Jesus has every intention of arriving on the shore alive and in one piece. Jesus does not go to sleep because He is careless, but because He is confident.
2. God never promises storms will not come, or won’t keep coming. Sometimes, those of us who have been “saved” for a while feel that if we stay on track and earn our stripes, it gets easier. Is that what you are working for? Stop it! You can’t earn any more love from the Father than what He gives every day. In His loving wisdom, we all encounter sickness, disease, heartache, family troubles, financial difficulties, crime, injustice, and so much more. We cannot earn immunity to pain!
3. Don’t be too quick to look and hope for a miracle; you may learn more without one….It is not miraculous deliverances that increase our faith. It is the knowledge of the character of God and His love that builds our faith.
4. Open your heart to Jesus today before the storms hit your boat. This might have been the disciples’ problem. If they had understood properly who the Lord is and drawn closer to Him before they entered the boat, had they been better stewards of their opportunity to grow in their knowledge of and relationship with Christ, they would have fared better in their storm. So it is with you and me. Don’t wait until some storm hits before you begin to develop your knowledge of, and trust in, God’s Word and the Author Himself.
While we can’t stop the storms in our life, trusting in the one who can allows us to find rest in the midst of them.
(Take some time this week to read all of chapter 24)