“When evening had come, [Jesus] said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?'” Mark 4:35-41
Storms were common on the Sea of Galilee, but what confused the disciples was that their Leader would initiate boating across the water, then fall asleep and care nothing about their stress and danger. Little did they realize that He was not confused, but held all in His control. He foreknew and led them toward the storm to reveal Himself and develop their faith: His calm in the midst and supernatural ability to speak peace over it invited awed fear and trust. If He had control over wind and waves, He was able in every concern and life and place concurrently. What could He not do?
Political strife, a medical trauma, an impossible work assignment, a relationship obstacle, marital discord, lurking temptation, despair… Each is monumental to us, none too difficult for God. We are in confusion, turmoil, chaos, and He in perfect peace. In fact, He is the infinite, transcendent God of the impossible, the God of order, the God of truth, the God of peace. (Genesis 18:14; Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:17,27; Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; 1 Corinthians 14:33)
Perceiving and feeling sin’s effects on our world can be humanly overwhelming, yet God knows and works through all with no confusion, no bias, no inequity. We may be burdened for a myriad of concerns. Many in our family, church, and nations of the world may be praying for miraculous healing, truth to be revealed, creativity and wisdom to be inspired, balm for broken hearts. We feel heart-wrenched, discombobulated, scattered by the weight of cares. But God is not. He sees every event, hears every cry, and is sufficient for every need. He’s able to do more than we know to ask, and calmly, precisely, responds to His own with personal, purposeful care and eternal intention. How amazing is He! (Ephesians 3:20)
Will we trust this Lord Who exists in time and above our time, Who understands our limits and is Himself without limit? What unrest whorls inside, relentless in its undoing? What hatred boils, temptation nags, rebellion simmers? What is my roiling sea of care? My scrabble of confusion? My current of fear? The Lord is nigh and speaks, ‘Peace, be still.’ He translates our cries into perfect prayer according to His will and accomplishes His plans His intended way so He is revered. (Psalm 18:30)
Lord, in every storm of thought or life, help me trust You to accomplish Your peace and good will, to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 