Hold onto Hope when Storms Strike
“Wait for the LORD“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: 38:41, NLT
This is the only place in Scripture where Jesus is said to have slept – in the middle of a fierce storm! Jesus is fully human and fully God, and might have been tired from the rigors of ministry. And while we see his humanity in this passage of Scripture that He was sleeping, in the next verse we see His power as God – calming the storm, rebuking the wind and waves by saying, “Silence! Be still!”
There are many types of storms that come into our lives: job loss, illness, death in the family, financial trouble. Jesus never promised us life would be easy. In fact, He told His disciples, “In this world, you will face trouble.” (John 16:33) But He also said, “Take heart, I have overcome the world.”
What can we learn from this passage of Scripture and storms that come into our life?
First, it’s important to remember the promise of Jesus.
Verse 35 is key. “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.'” Jesus had just told them what they were going to do.
This wasn’t just a statement. This was a PROMISE. Jesus never promised anything that He didn’t deliver.
Do you know there are over three thousand promises in the Bible?
Now, more than ever, we need to remember Jesus’ promises.
Second, it’s important to memorize Scripture.
Growing up, I watched my dad, who was so sick and blind, teach me through his example about memorizing Scripture and remembering Jesus’ promises. Every day before school, he would have me read to him his three favorite Scriptures – John 3:16, Psalm 100 and Psalm 23. Then, over and over again, he would say them out loud. I was about eight or nine years old at the time – and to be honest – I didn’t understand. But, my dad clung to those promises and they gave him life. They gave him hope.
Because of that, years later in 2010, when I was in the earthquake in Haiti, I thought, “What would my dad do?” I knew I needed to recite the Scriptures I knew. It helped me to stay strong remember God’s promises. Over and over again, I would have the students we were with read Scripture – we would talk about God’s promises and remember how He had been faithful.
Now, think about the disciples.
These were seasoned and professional fishermen – so this storm had to be pretty powerful to scare even them.
They should have remembered a promise from the book of Isaiah: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Isaiah 43:2)
They couldn’t drown because they were with Jesus, and He COULDN’T DROWN.
Why?
Because of the promise, the purpose, and the plan of God His Heavenly Father. He had not yet been nailed to the cross; He had not yet shed His blood; He had not yet been buried in a tomb; He had not yet been raised from the dead; He had not yet ascended to the Father. He could not drown, and therefore neither could they. They had HIS promise.
Jesus, through His Word, has made strong and innumerable promises that He will always get you safely to the other side of the storm. The disciples could hold onto Hope because of the promises of JESUS.
When storms strike – and they will – hold onto the promises of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Presence. Thank You that when the storms of life come, You are always with us. For Your Word says You will never leave nor forsake us.
Help us to remember Your promises when storms strike, to stand firm on Your Word, to hold onto Your truth. Fill us with Your peace, Your strength, Your comfort, as we lean into You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
We hope and pray this encourages you today.
Christine Batchelder