The story of Jesus calming the stormy sea in Mark 4 is a wonderful encouragement for “tossed and troubled” disciples of Jesus. You may recall how the disciples were freaking out in their boat as the sea of Galilee was being churned up by heavy winds (a common occurrence, as I understand). Jesus, having just come off an intense period of ministry, was so exhausted that he was sound asleep at one end of the boat, seemingly oblivious to the storm and the disciples’ screams of despair. They cried out, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (This was rather ironic when you consider the reason for the incarnation: to save his people!) Anyway, Jesus, wiping the sleep from his eyes, commanded the wind, saying to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” (vv. 38–39) and peaceful stillness immediately replaced chaos and panic.
How wonderful when the Lord answers our prayers and physical calamity is calmed. How great the sense of peace when the broken relationship is repaired. How joyful when the financial setback is reversed. How wonderful when a long stay in hospital is nothing but a memory. How peaceful when the trial is stilled by the voice of the Sovereign.
And yet, while the follower of Jesus is to prayerfully trust the Lord for calming the storm, it is wrong to demand this. Sometimes, in fact, the Lord wisely refuses to “rebuke the wind” of a physical calamity, a heart-wrenching calamity, a painful relationship, or an injustice. Rather, sometimes the Lord chooses to simply ride along with us as we face some storms in life. John 6:16–21 provides an instructive example.
In this pericope, the same disciples experienced another storm on Galilee (give them credit for courage) three or four miles into their journey to the other side. This time, Jesus was not with them, though he was nearer than they knew, for suddenly they saw him “walking on the sea and coming near the boat” (v. 19). Initially frightened (who wouldn’t be?), “they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going” (v. 21).
As I recently read the last part of that verse, it struck me that there is no mention of calming the storm, and yet there is the record of the gladness of their hearts. Having Jesus in the boat was no guarantee of the end of the storm, but it was a guarantee that they would get safely to the other side. I needed that reminder, and perhaps you do as well.
Following the Lord Jesus Christ is no guarantee of a peaceful journey. On the contrary, sometimes it assures some pretty heavy storms and, when those storms arise, it is reassuring to know that he can calm the storms. But it is equally reassuring to know that, when our Lord chooses not to rebuke the rough seas, he remains in the boat of his people, come “hell or high water.” It is reassuring to know that he will see his people through to the other side.
So, believer, though I hope your current storm will subside, if it doesn’t, remember that you are not alone, for the Lord has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Doug