Scripture: “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.” – Mark 4:39
Examination of Chapter: This chapter is mainly about the parable of the sower and its explanation to the disciples by Jesus. At the end, it focuses on the miracle of Jesus calming the sea simply by speaking.
Application: Wow! Last night was BRUTAL! I don’t know the specific numbers, but it rained buckets! The storm that came through was INTENSE! Of course, rain pounding on the thin metal shell of a camper always sounds exceptionally loud, but last night was the worst I’ve experienced in a long time. It woke me up in the middle of the night with the deafening pounding of the rain on the camper and nearly non-stop lightning and thundering! For about 30 minutes or longer, it bombarded the area, and I could not fall back asleep.
I thought about the folks who were out on a nearby lake in houseboats (although John reassures me they were safe in their small coves), and I remarked to him (the storm woke him as well) that they must be feeling what the disciples felt in their tiny boat on the sea of Galilee during the fierce storm that Jesus eventually calmed. If I was this apprehensive inside a camper and completely safe, I could only imagine what must it have been like for the disciples… fishermen who were well acquainted with storms on the Sea of Galilee… who were so frightened that they cried, “Lord, save us: we perish.” (Matthew 8:25). Then I thought how amazing that Jesus simply uttered three small words, “Peace be still”, and the rain ceased, and the waves calmed…immediately! Wow!
So laying there, I thought I’ll pray for that as well, not expecting a miracle, but just sharing with God what was on my heart. So I prayed that the storm would cease its ferocity quickly and that no one would be harmed on the lake, our campground, or the surrounding roads. Within the next 5 minutes, the storm stopped. I thought it was just a lull, but it never resumed. Again, WOW! Do I believe God responded to my specific prayer? I don’t know, but I do know one thing, He very well could have. And for that I praise Him and thank Him!
Life is full of time when we get fearful. I don’t know about you, but often I think, “Who am I, that God would even pay attention to my prayer? After all, in the overall scheme of things, I am just one of billions… not too significant… yet, the Bible tells me again and again about the unique relationship I have the Lord.
So, here’s what I do know about our relationship:
1. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee…” – Jeremiah 1:5
- God thought about me specifically before He created me!
2. “..I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” – Psalm139:14
- When God did create me, I was made wonderfully and marvelously by Him!
3. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
- Jesus sacrificed Himself for me, a sinner, an enemy of God, yet He loved me even then!
4. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
- God desires to hear everything that concerns me because He cares so much for me!
5. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” – 1 John 5:14
- I know, without a doubt, that God hears AND answers my prayers when they are aligned with His perfect will, and it doesn’t matter how little or big those prayers are!
My relationship with God is special; there is none other like it. So, while I may not know for certain that last night’s storm stopped because I prayed, I choose to believe that my God heard my prayer and acted. Does that make me special? Should I be puffed up with pride? Absolutely not. God is an equal opportunity “listener of prayer” with His children. He listens to each one of us individually as if we were the only ones in the entire world talking to Him. That shows that God is a personal God who cherishes each one of His children and desires to bless us “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20). Again, all I can say is “Wow!”
I am grateful that I don’t have to face my fears alone. I know when I cry out to God, He hears me. I know when He answers, it will be what He has deemed best for me, whether it’s what I asked for or not. For that I say, “Wow! Thank You, Jesus!”
By the way, for me, “Wow!” means “Wonder Of Wonders!” My God is truly a God of Wonders!!
Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I have a living Saviour who cares for me every moment of every day. I am so thankful that when I call out to You, You hear me every single time! I know I am safe in Your arms always. Thank You for the reminder that it is You who control the winds and waves. It is You that watches over me, protects me, and loves me beyond my understanding. I am Your child… WOW! In Jesus’ precious name, amen,