Jesus said, “Have faith in God…”
Mark 11 : 22
“Do you still have no faith?” Jesus said to his disciples right after he calmed a stormy wind and raging waters with a command. It was evening, after a day of ministering to large crowds Jesus and his disciples were travelling in a boat across a lake. Jesus was sleeping with his head on a pillow, when a bad wind came up on the lake and the water entered the boat and it was almost full of water. His disciples were perplexed, scared and had no idea how to control the situation. Then they realised that Jesus was in their boat yet he was sleeping, calm and composed. ‘Who can save us?’ they thought and they knew Jesus could. They knew God himself was in their boat. Yet, their response was to put in their own efforts. They thought if Jesus did not wake up and do something, they would drown and die. So they hurriedly woke him up and said, ‘don’t you care about us if we die?’
Maybe, most of us are in similar situations. We are in a place where our boat is sinking, we have no control over our situation. Maybe it is a job that is slipping away, or finances running dry. We are living in a time where businesses are sinking, the economy is hitting rock bottom. You probably are struggling in your relationship with God and people, or you are in a position where people are looking up to you to do something and save the sinking ship. You don’t know what to do, so you want to take control and do something.
Hold on, God is calling you to him and asking you to have faith in Him.
There were seven simple reasons why the disciples could have remained calm and placed their faith in Jesus; and the same reasons for us to place our faith in Jesus in these storms of life –
- HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER
To the disciples he said, come lets go across the lake Luke 4:35
Jesus had already told His disciples that they will go across the lake. He had spoken it and God never fails the word He gives.
What is the word God has spoken to you? What was the last thing He told you before the lockdown or the situation that faces you now? Recall the promises, the word that the Lord has given you and cling on to it. Listen to it again, search for it again. Because God brings to fruition every word that He has spoken.
…if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Tim 2:13
Or are you someone who has not heard anything from God yet. Could it be because of your busyness? Could it be because your ears are listening to too many voices?
Because God brings to fruition every word that He has spoken.
Take time to receive fresh promises from God. In the midst of the chaos, God wants to speak to us. The promises of God will give you faith. The Word of God doesn’t return back to Him without bearing the fruit He desires. It might take a while, but be patient and trust God. He will restore you.
God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19
- HE IS ALL POWERFUL
Jesus was inside the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The followers went and woke him. They said, “Teacher, don’t you care about us? We are going to drown!” Mark 4:38
Remember and remind yourself – the God who is in your boat is all powerful.
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The words of his disciples were not words of faith. They were words of disappointment, of despair, lack of faith and disbelief. These words make us think that God does not care. Despite having seen miracles that Jesus performed even before getting into the boat, they did not believe that Jesus could control the situation and their lives.
Even the Israelites did not believe God, though they saw how He delivered them from the Egyptians. They saw the red sea parting. What more? Yet in the wilderness, they did not have faith to believe that God can come through. After witnessing God so many times in our own lives, where do we stand today? Where is our faith? Some of us were brought out from situations like death to life, brokenness to being mended, and loneliness to being comforted. Remember and remind yourself – the God who is in your boat is all powerful.
- HE IS A PRUNING FATHER
Jesus was in their boat, and he slept. He is God, He was aware this would happen. Yet He was sleeping because He wanted to strengthen the faith of the disciples. Our God likes to put us in the test to prune away everything from our lives that is not from Him.
If we allow God to prune us, we will bear much fruit!
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2
These situations bring the bad in and around us to surface. The reality comes out and it shows us where our heart is inclined. For all those who are workaholics, God is pruning you to give Him your time. For all those who thought ministry is everything, God is working in you to prioritise family. For all those who always try to run away from home because of your broken relationships, God wants you to mend them.
If we allow God to prune us, we will bear much fruit!
- HE IS THE PATHWAY
The disciples had to run to Jesus, have faith in Him to come through this situation.
When we are faced with hopeless situations, do we turn and look up to God or murmur, doubt God and get frustrated? The Israelites were in a similar situation when God sent fiery serpents among them because of their sins and many died. But, God told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole and that whoever looks at it will live and not die.
For all those who are cursing and murmuring against God and against his children, those saying to themselves that there is no God – Remember, God is stopping everything around you just so that you could look to him and believe in Him.
There may be so many things at stake, but, the only way out is Jesus! So lift your head up to Jesus and be saved!
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him – John 3:14-15
You cannot overcome this situation on your own. It could be your marriage, a broken relationship, an issue related to your job. There may be so many things at stake, but, the only way out is Jesus! So lift your head up to Jesus and be saved!
- HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE
Jesus was sleeping with his head on a pillow; he was full of peace and calm.
But (the kingdom of God is) of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom 14:17
God wants you to have peace. This peace comes from you remaining steadfast in God. You cannot be going back and forth from this God to another god (even habits or things that we place above God).
This peace comes from you being rooted in scriptures and knowing God.
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Some of us are living in constant fear and without perfect peace because we have not been able to distinguish good from evil. Ask God to give you discernment and a heart that relies on Him.
- HE IS OUR PROVIDER
The disciples knew that Jesus could provide for their needs, because they had just witnessed a miracle. Yet, in the midst of the storm they seem to have forgotten that Jesus was their provider.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Psalms 34:10
God will not only supply for your needs but also for all those who are dependent on you!
Elijah was provided for by God in the midst of a famine. Though God allowed famine during the time of king Ahab because of their sin, God provided for prophet Elijah miraculously. Even in the times of scarcity, God will provide his children with abundance. Then, God also supplied for the needs of the widow through Elijah.
God will not only supply for your needs but also for all those who are dependent on you!
- HE IS OUR PROTECTOR
They were became scared and feared death because the boat was almost filled with water.
The word of God tells us that the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalms 121:8). So we needn’t be fearful.
We know that He is watching over us and protecting us from harm day and night.
The Psalmist recognises this vital truth in Psalms 91:2-4 – I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
He is Emmanuel God, God with us! Gear up, and have faith in Christ. He has never failed us, and He will never fail us if we put our trust in Him.
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HE IS ALIVE 